Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 13, 2020
New information is in red
Find this update on healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking the “See the Latest Update” button.
Please visit and share the Vermont Department of Health’s new COVID-19 web pages, including the new data dashboard for an in-depth picture of COVID-19 activity in Vermont at healthvermont.gov/covid19. Visitors can access the dashboard by clicking on the map of Vermont.
New on healthvermont.gov
Our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions have been expanded, organized and redesigned in a user-friendly format that is easily searchable. Visit healthvermont.gov/covid19-faq and click the “See all frequently asked questions” button.
You can also find new guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19 for managers and owners of apartment complexes and senior living communities at healthvermont.gov/covid19-groupliving. The guidance calls for making a plan, preparing common spaces and communicating with residents/staff, in addition to outlining the role of the Health Department.
Cloth Face Coverings
At a press conference Monday April 13, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, strongly urged the use of facial coverings for essential workers in stores and their customers. The Health Department has also released new Health & Safety Tips for Essential Businesses, which, in addition to wearing cloth face coverings, includes tips like sanitizing high-touch areas, installing plastic shields, limiting the number of customers in a store, and more.
The Health Department recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home, since COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Learn more in this fact sheet. Watch a video of the U.S. Surgeon General on how to make your own face covering using items around the house.
Expedited Temporary Licenses for Health Professionals
The department announced today that health professionals can quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The new emergency measures grant a temporary license for health professionals who:
• Are licensed and in good standing in other states
• Were licensed in Vermont, but whose licenses lapsed in recent years
Vermont’s Response
On Friday, April 10, Governor Phil Scott extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15. All measures, including the Stay Home, Stay Safe order are now in effect until midnight on May 15 (note: schools remain dismissed for in-person instruction through the end of the school year). Read the press release.
Forecasting of COVID-19 cases
Current modeling shows that the mitigation measures have slowed the projected spread of COVID-19, but that the state has not yet hit its peak number of cases. To continue on this path, it is critical that Vermonters continue staying home and making their day to day sacrifices to help save lives.
Universal Testing at Facilities
The state is taking additional measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in certain types of group living facilities. When a person tests positive at these facilities, everyone in the facility will be tested. This includes nursing homes, corrections facilities, residential home for those with disabilities, residential treatment centers, assisted living facilities and state psychiatric care facilities.
Travel & Lodging
Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont from outside the state – for anything other than an essential purpose – should quarantine at home for 14 days. Travel to Vermont by anyone from a COVID-19 “hot spot” is strongly discouraged at this time.
All lodging facilities are currently to be closed except for exemptions when supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. Governor Scott announced on April 10 that lodging operators may accept reservations for stays and events occurring on June 15 or later.
Volunteering
We still need your help! Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/volunteer. Anyone with medical and healthcare skills is directed to the Medical Reserve Corps, and those with other needed skills to a quick registration process to sign up to help.
Have medical supplies to donate? Visit the COVID-19 Donations site.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on April 13, 2020
|
Total cases* |
748 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
33 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
33 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
28 |
||
|
Total tests |
10,365 |
||
|
People being monitored |
38 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
793 |
*Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.
+Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.
Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information as they are able.
Find more information on new data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking on the map of Vermont.
Guidance for Vermonters
Who to contact:
- If you have questions: Use the Ask A Question tool on healthvermont.gov and review other FAQs. You can also dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636.
- If you are sick: Stay home and contact your health care provider online or by phone. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.
Testing
The Department of Health continues to test Vermonters with COVID-19 symptoms to help increase contact tracing efforts and prevent the virus from spreading. Vermonters can be tested at hospital locations statewide and health centers in Island Pond, South Hero and Wells River. Additional sites will be opened as the needs are determined.
IMPORTANT: Everyone must have a referral from their provider in order to be tested.
- CALL your health care provider to be evaluated so the provider can determine if you need a test.
- DO NOT go to a testing site without an order from your provider.
- Patients who are NOT experiencing symptoms will not be tested.
Health care providers are encouraged to order a test for patients with symptoms, and can visit healthvermont.gov/covid19-providers for more information.
Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
Spring in Vermont is great – so take the proper precautions and go outside. Just be sure to stay close to home, practice social distancing, choose low-risk activities, respect all signs for closed areas and check regularly for ticks.
For more info visit: https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19 and healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart
If you are or someone you know is in crisis
Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak. If you or someone you know needs emotional support: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Trained helpers are available 24/7. Or text VT to 741741 to talk to someone at the Crisis Text Line. For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.
Source: Vermont Department of Health 4.13.2020