Vermont Business Magazine Vermont reached a milestone of sorts today as the Vermont Department of Health is reporting that there are only 29 Vermonters in hospital statewide either with COVID-19 or under investigation for it. The number of hospitalizations is a key data point in the progress and decline of the novel coronavirus which causes the illness known as COVID-19. The high water mark was on April 6 with 91 hospitalizations. Governor Scott and Health Commissioner Levine have stressed that despite the positive trends and measured reopening of some businesses (see Addendum 11 below) Vermonters must remain vigilant and wear masks when at work or out among people.
As for today's VDH report, there are 862 confirmed cases statewide, up 7 from Monday. The number of deaths remains at 47. The number hospitalized fell by four to 29.
Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 28, 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.
The path to restart Vermont
Governor Phil Scott last week announced some additional openings to restart Vermont’s economy, but stressed the need for continued – and even expanded – vigilance to slow the spread of the virus. The Stay Home, Stay Safe order is still critical, and each of us must remain committed to doing our part.
It is more important than ever to continue physical distancing and to make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever we leave home. Learn more about why and how we need to wear masks.
In the meantime, please do maintain your social connectivity, which is important for everyone’s physical and emotional health!
WIC program is still open and ready to serve Vermonters
The Vermont Department of Health WIC Program, and other public programs, remain open to serve Vermonters. Vermont WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support to pregnant and postpartum Vermonters and infants and children up to their 5th birthday. Good nutrition and WIC foods help to support a strong immune system.
Vermont WIC is open and invites new and returning families to join. Since March 16, over 600 new participants joined WIC for the first time. If you are pregnant, postpartum, or are the caregiver for an infant or child under 5, apply today. Medical providers, with patient permission, can refer patients to WIC here.
We’ve made a few changes to keep our families and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- All appointments are being done by phone. WIC staff are primarily working remotely.
- WIC has expanded its approved foods list to make it easier to find WIC foods in the grocery store. These changes include larger bread loaf sizes, more varieties of eggs, and shredded cheese.
- WIC is beginning to offer breastfeeding classes online.
If your family financial circumstances have changed due to a job loss or reduced hours, you could be eligible for WIC. Apply today. For more information on food access, visit hungerfreevt.org/coronavirus.
New on healthvermont.gov
A new map of Vermonters who have tested positive for COVID-19 by town can now be found at healthvermont.gov/covid19 (click on the map of Vermont). The data reflects lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Vermont residents, by town of residence. All case data is preliminary and is updated as new information comes in.
Residents of a long-term care facility or inmates at a correctional facility are counted in the town where the facility is located when they were tested.
The map does not represent people with active infections, and no town is “safe” from COVID-19. We know the virus is in our communities and we should continue to follow stay home orders and health guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 – no matter what town we live in.
COVID-19 Dashboard provides expanded race, ethnicity and mortality data
Data about COVID-19 deaths are now included in the dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 (click on the map of Vermont). Data about race and ethnicity of COVID-19 cases are also included in the dashboard. We can use this data to help to prevent the spread of illness, improve care for patients, and present a more complete picture of how COVID-19 may be affecting everyone in Vermont.
New pages have been added and updated:
- About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - highlighting prevention, symptoms and testing
- Communities and Workplaces - resources for food, volunteers, food & lodging businesses and more
Meal Distribution to Vermonters
DATES HAVE BEEN UPDATED for the Vermont Foodbank and Vermont National Guard’s food distribution to those in need. Read the press release.
From 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. each day:
- Wednesday, April 29 - Hartness State Airport (Weathersfield/Springfield)
- Thursday, April 30 - William H Morse State Airport (Bennington)
- Friday, May 1 - Northeast Kingdom International Airport (Coventry/Newport)
Accessing Emergency Care
Vermont hospitals are safe. If you are having symptoms of a serious medical condition, such as heart attack or stroke, it is important to get medical care right away. Call 9-1-1, go to the emergency room, or call your doctor if your symptoms are not life threatening.
Use Cleaning Products Safely
The Centers for Disease Control has reported that calls to U.S. poison centers about cleaner and disinfectant exposures have increased by 20%. Please make sure you are using cleaning products and disinfectants safely.
The EPA has issued guidance about disinfectant product use. Always follow the product’s directions. Do not ingest disinfectant products, and never apply them to yourself or others.
See the CDC's Cleaning and Disinfection for Households guidance.
You can also chat with the Northern New England Poison Control Center on their website, call 1-800-222-1222 or text POISON to 85511.
Expedited Temporary Licenses for Health Professionals
Health professionals can quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Volunteering
Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on April 28, 2020
|
Total cases* |
862 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
12 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
17 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
47 |
||
|
Total tests |
15,215 |
||
|
People being monitored |
16 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
831 |
*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 are sick:
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
- If you are having symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath), call your health care provider.
- Most information is online: Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also use our Ask A Question tool. Type in your question and the web bot searches our information for you! New questions include:
- What is contact tracing?
- Is the state reopened?
- What do employers need to do to reopen their business?
- If you still have health-related COVID-19 questions: Call the Health Department at 802-863-7240.
- Calls are answered 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Outside those hours, leave a message and your call will be returned.
- For non-health related questions, dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636.
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-
Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
Going outdoors for air and exercise is encouraged when you take the proper precautions. Please stay close to home, practice social distancing, choose low-risk activities, and respect all signs for closed areas.
Ticks are starting to come back - Use insect repellent, avoid wooded and brushy areas, and always do a tick check when you get home. Be Tick Smart: healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart.
For more outdoors info visit: https://fpr.vermont.gov/
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.
VERMONTERS WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 BY TOWN
This data reflects lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among Vermont residents, by town of residence. Residents of a long-term care facility or inmates at a correctional facility are reflected in the town of their facility when they were tested.
In compliance with both federal and Vermont law, to prevent disclosure of an individual’s protected health information, a range is used for towns that have fewer than six cases.
Map is updated weekly. Last update: 4/27/20
STATE OF VERMONT
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
ADDENDUM 11 TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 01-20 April 24, 2020
[Work Smart & Stay Safe -- Restart VT: Phase II]
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2020 and March 11, 2020, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) detected the first two cases of COVID-19 in Vermont and a month and a half later Vermont has experienced over 800 cases and over 40 related deaths; and
WHEREAS, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the Governor issued Executive Order 01-20, Declaration of State of Emergency in Response to COVID-19 and National Guard Call-Out (“Executive Order”), declaring a state of emergency for the State of Vermont in response to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, the Governor, in consultation with VDH and the Vermont Agency of Human Services, has initiated aggressive and sustained efforts to protect property and public health, and to ensure public safety in this public health emergency including issuing Addenda to the Executive Order to limit in-person contact, such as limiting the size of gatherings, closure of schools and the institution of remote learning through the end of the school year, suspending the operation of close contact businesses, requiring telecommuting and work from home, requiring Vermonters to stay home and stay safe with exceptions for essential purposes and suspending the operation of businesses which are not deemed critical; and
WHEREAS, modeling studies done for the State clearly show that, but for the mitigation measures taken to date, the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 related deaths in the State and the region would be having a much more devastating effect on Vermonters and would be threatening to overwhelm the capacity of the Vermont health care system; and
WHEREAS, the Governor has determined to begin a cautious, incremental and evidence-based approach to restarting Vermont’s economy; and
WHEREAS, as we move forward, businesses, governments and employees must understand that how they work is essential to resuming and maintaining business operations, to stay safe and save lives.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of Vermont by the Constitution of the State of Vermont, the emergency powers set forth in 20 V.S.A. §§ 8, 9 and 11 and other laws hereby order as follows:
1. Health and Safety Requirements. The State shall continue a phased approach to reopen the economy, balancing the need to restore and strengthen our overall social and economic wellbeing with the prevention of a resurgence of COVID-19 that would undermine or lose the important public health outcomes achieved to date. In order to achieve this balance, all
businesses and non-profit and governmental entities, including employees and contractors of governmental entities, which are operating or will be operating during the declared State of Emergency, shall implement the following physical distancing, health and sanitation measures in accordance with Vermont Department of Health, CDC and Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) guidelines:
a. Employees shall not report to, or be allowed to remain at, work or job site if sick or symptomatic (with fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath).
b. Employees must observe strict social distancing of six feet while on the job.
c. Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask.
d. Employees must have easy and frequent access to soap and water or hand sanitizer during duration of work, and handwashing or hand sanitization should be required before entering, and leaving, job sites. All common spaces and equipment, including bathrooms, frequently touched surfaces and doors, tools and equipment, and vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected at the beginning, middle and end of each shift and prior to transfer from one person to another.
e. No more than two (2) people shall occupy one vehicle when conducting work.
f. To the extent feasible, prior to the commencement of each work shift, pre-screening, including temperature checks and survey shall be required to verify each employee has no symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath).
g. Signs must be posted at all entrances clearly indicating that no one may enter if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.
h. No congregation of employees shall be permitted on site.
i. No workers who have knowledge of contact with a worker who is diagnosed with COVID-19 shall be permitted on site and shall quarantine for 14 days.
j. Indoor workspaces where more than two (2) employees are working must have good air circulation.
k. All operations shall designate a health officer on-site at every shift responsible for ensuring compliance with Addendum 10 and this Addendum 11 to the Executive Order and applicable ACCD Guidance. This person shall have the authority to stop or modify activities to ensure work conforms with the mandatory health and safety requirements.
l. All employees, including those already working (except healthcare workers, first responders, and others already trained in infection control, personal protection/universal precautions), must complete, and employers must document, a mandatory training on health and safety requirements as provided by VOSHA, or another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard.
2. Training Requirements. All employers shall provide training and a written copy of standard operating procedures to be developed by the Vermont Occupational Safety and Health Agency (VOSHA), in consultation with VDH, on, at a minimum:
a. The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and an explanation of how the disease is spread;
b. Information on appropriate social distancing and personal hygiene practices, including those set forth in this Addendum 11 to the Executive Order and applicable ACCD Guidance; and
c. The types, proper use, limitations, location, handling, decontamination, removal, and disposal of any PPE being used.
Employers may adopt another training program that meets or exceeds the VOSHA-provided standard, or additional policies and procedures that are applicable to the employment environment and employees’ duties, which shall not be less restrictive than those developed by VOSHA.
All businesses and non-profit and government entities in operation must complete and document mandatory health and safety training by May 4, 2020.
3. Customer and General Public Mask Use. Customers and the public in general, are encouraged to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth any time they are interacting with others from outside their households.
4. Phased Restart. Preventing outbreaks and limiting the spread of COVID-19 is the only way to avoid future business and social disruption. The success of this phased restart will depend in large part on the ability of employers and employees to adhere to the public health, safety, and social distancing measures essential to limiting the spread of illness.
Subject to compliance by all affected businesses and non-profit and government entities with the health and safety requirements set forth above and ACCD guidance developed in consultation with VDH and the Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management, Phase 2 of this effort, effective April 27, 2020, will allow the following:
a. “Micro-crews,” or no more than five (5) persons per location/job, to perform outdoor work and construction work in unoccupied structures.
b. Manufacturing and distribution operations may resume with a maximum of 5 (five) employees in any location if they are low-density and ensure employees are at least six feet apart at all times.
c. Supporting operations may continue with the minimum number of employees necessary to support curbside pick-up and delivery services, and in accordance with the guidance issued by ACCD.
d. Resumption of in-person shopping at outdoor retail operations, such as garden centers and greenhouses offering mulch, stone, plant, tree, seed sales; provided, however, these operations shall not permit any more than a maximum of 10 total people including customers and staff.
Outdoor retail operations shall take steps to schedule or stage customer visits, such as waiting in cars until ready, to ensure no congregation.
e. Libraries may allow for curbside pickup for lending in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Libraries.
5. Farmers Markets. Subject to compliance with the health and safety requirements set forth above and ACCD guidance developed in consultation with VDH and the Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management, effective May 1, 2020, farmers markets may open using limited in-person operations to ensure consumer access to quality, healthy food; provided, however:
a. Farmer’s markets must adhere to all municipal ordinances and regulatory and permitting requirements prior to opening.
b. Farmer’s markets must significantly alter their business practices to eliminate crowds and reduce contact between vendors and customers, including a transition away from shopping and social events to primarily a food distribution system.
c. Farmers markets shall use a “pre-order, local food pick-up” model to the extent possible and comply with any additional guidance issued by the Agency of Agriculture and Food Markets (AAFM).
6. Education and Compliance. VOSHA, VDH inspectors and AAFM inspectors shall, in the ordinary course of the performance of their duties, ensure businesses and non-profit and governmental entities have the information necessary to comply with the health and safety requirements of this Addendum 11 to the Executive Order.
7. Businesses and non-profit and government entities deemed critical in accordance with Addendum 6 to the Executive Order and ACCD Sector Guidance (Stay Home/Stay Safe), may continue to operate under pre-existing guidance and shall operate in accordance with mandatory health and safety and training requirements set forth above.
8. In accordance with Addendum 5 to the Executive Order (Order to Work From Home for all Businesses and Non-Profits) and Stay Home Stay Safe, all businesses, non-profit entities and government entities shall continue procedures to support work from home and telecommuting for all workers to the extent possible.
9. All businesses, not-for-profit entities and government entities are encouraged to continue business strategies, procedures and practices to maximize use of on-line presence, telephone and web-based service delivery and phone or online orders for term curb-side pick-up and delivery.
This Addendum 11 shall take effect upon signing and, except as modified in this Addendum 11, the Executive Order and all Addenda thereto and Directives issued thereunder, shall continue in full force and effect until midnight on May 15, 2020, at which time the Governor, in consultation with the Vermont Department of Health and the Department of Public Safety/Division of Emergency Management shall assess the emergency and determine whether to amend or extend this Addendum.
By the Governor: ________________________________
Philip B. Scott
Governor
_____________________________________
Brittney L. Wilson
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Executive Order No. 01-20 – Addendum 11
Dated: April 24, 2020