Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today reported five more deaths for a total of 35 as a consequence of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Three of the deaths were at Burlington's Birchwood Terrace nursing home, according to Local22 & Local44, for a total of six there. The total number of cases increased by nine for a total of 768.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, indicated this week that the state is at or near a plateauing of new cases even as testing has been stepped up. The high-water mark in new cases was 70 on April 3. The number of hospitalizations has also stabilized. There are 33 COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide and 30 hospitalized under investigation.
There are over 400 COVID-19 beds available now and more than 700 beds would be available if a surge were to take place. Under modeling released April 10, the peak for hospitalizations is not expected to reach even what was considered the high-point of 89 patients under a "best-case" scenario.
Governor Phil Scott is expected on Friday to present new rules governing farmers' markets, which are currently closed. The rules are expected to include strict social distancing guidelines.
He has also suggested the state might require the use of face masks in public under certain conditions. Hard hit New York City is requiring face masks at grocery stores and New York State requires them in crowded public spaces, like mass transit.
Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 16, 2020
New information is in red
Find this update on healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking the “See the Latest Update” button.
Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s updated COVID-19 web pages — including the new data dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19.
How Are You Staying Safe at Home?
We know it can be tough staying home. But there are still lots of ways we can keep living happy, healthy lives. Watch and share our new video for inspiration! We’re all in this together.
Serologic (antibody) testing
The Vermont Department of Health has convened a working group of experts to research antibody tests. Based on those findings we will decide how to best include this type of test in Vermont. At our present stage in the pandemic, the priority is to know who is currently infected with COVID-19.
Serologic testing measures antibodies in the blood of a person who has been infected with COVID-19, whether they felt sick or not. In other words, it measures the body’s immune response to the virus, but does not detect the virus itself.
Pandemic Outlook
Vermont may be seeing a trend toward cases beginning to plateau, according to Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. He emphasized, however, that as we look to the future, we will still need to act to prevent spread of the virus and to protect Vermonters from getting infected.
As we consider, in the Governor’s words, loosening the spigot, and easing restrictions, it may not mean an end to social distancing or limitations on large gatherings. Vermonters should not expect a quick end to the need for facial coverings or reducing our focus on respiratory hygiene. This is a long game, and individual efforts to prevent the spread of germs are essential, as is our continued testing and contact tracing efforts to contain outbreaks.
New on healthvermont.gov
Our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions continue to be expanded and organized in an easily searchable, user-friendly format. Visit healthvermont.gov/covid19-faq and click “See all frequently asked questions.”
Guidance is also available for managers and owners of apartment complexes and senior living communities at healthvermont.gov/covid19-groupliving.
Cloth Face Coverings
Facial coverings are encouraged for essential workers in stores and their customers. The Health Department released new Health & Safety Tips for Essential Businesses.
The 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
Health professionals can quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Vermont’s Response
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.
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 16, 2020
|
Total cases* |
768 |
||
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Currently hospitalized |
33 |
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Hospitalized under investigation |
25 |
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Deaths+ |
35 |
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Total tests |
11,507 |
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|
People being monitored |
30 |
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People completed monitoring |
803 |
*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 the FAQs.
- Call the Health Department at 802-863-7240. We’re ready to respond to COVID-19 health-related questions. Calls are answered 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., seven days a week. Outside those hours, leave a message and your call will be returned. Find answers – whether you are a health care provider looking for lab results, a returning traveler, calling from a long-term care facility or work in child care services affected by COVID -19.
- For non-health related questions, 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, help is available 24/7:
- Call your local mental health crisis line
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line.
- For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.