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VDH COVID-19 Update: More cases, more free tests, no deaths

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VDH graphic of total COVID-19 cases through June 3, 2020.

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

June 7, 2020

New information is in red

The Vermont Department of Health on Sunday reported that since Friday there have been 36 new cases of COVID-19 statewide. Nearly all of these are associated with the outbreak in Winooski that was reported earlier in the week. Just over 2,000 tests have been administered across the state and a new pop-up site in Winooski is available to anyone free of charge. The site will continue taking tests this coming week. However, there have been no new deaths associated with the outbreak or anywhere else in Vermont for more than a week and are holding at 55. There is one person hospitalized.

However, the overall data suggests that this outbreak is localized and contained. With that, Governor Scott is allowing indoor dining with guidance will be allowed starting Monday.

Find this update at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking the “See the Latest Update” button.

Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s updated COVID-19 web and data pages

healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Winooski Outbreak Update

At a press conference on Friday with City of Winooski officials and State Epidemiologist Patsy Kelso, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, told residents he understands that news of an outbreak can cause both fear and uncertainty. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to the community, and all Vermonters for working together to get through this public health challenge.

An outbreak means a number of cases in a community are connected to each other in one way or another.

Dr Levine said that the outbreak was within a network of more than one family and that half of the positive tests were adults and the other half children. He said the cases were not related to a school or nursing home or business or the recent protests or any other mass gathering.

“First, I want you to know that this could happen anywhere,” he said. “That’s the way viruses like COVID-19 work, and it can be very difficult for people to take all the steps necessary to prevent the spread of this disease.”

Although Vermont has fared much better than other places, a COVID-19 outbreak like this is not unexpected.

Dr. Levine reviewed steps taken since the Health Department first learned of the cluster of cases, including working with the city, our local health office and Community Health Centers of Burlington to offer testing at the O’Brien Community Center every day this week.

Testing will be offered every day next week as well. Having as many people tested as possible is important – and we encourage residents to get the test, whether or not you think you might have COVID-19.

“The only way to get to stop the outbreak is to do it together,” he said. “Every single person is needed to help keep this disease from spreading. That means continuing to practice good public health measures such as wearing face coverings, limiting close interactions, and lots of hand washing.”

Sign up for an appointment to get tested for COVID-19 at the O’Brien Community Center, 32 Mallets Bay Avenue in Winooski at: https://humanresources.vermont.gov/winooski, or call 2-1-1.

Restart Vermont

Governor Phil Scott Friday announced limited indoor seating at restaurants and bars. The Governor also announced that people traveling to or from designated areas outside the state may do so without a 14-day quarantine requirement. These measures are effective June 8.

Indoor dining: Occupancy is limited to 25% of legal capacity with distance requirements between tables. Other measures include reservation or call-ahead seating, disposable menus, no bar seating and more. The Governor’s order also allows municipalities to enact more strict local guidance for restaurants and bars to address a localized outbreak of COVID-19.

Travel: Gov. Scott is authorizing a waiver of quarantine requirements for interstate travel to and from New England and New York counties that have 400 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per million. A map of the approved counties will be updated weekly and posted on ACCD’s website.

As of Friday there were 55 counties in New York or New England that meet the guidelines. Visitors coming from outside those counties or outside Vermont must quarantine for 14 before coming to Vermont. Lodging establishments must requests verification from out of state guests, which is based on an honor system.

Vermonters planning to travel to other states should understand that each state may have their own quarantine policies and requirements.

Visitors to the state will be required to register with Sara Alert for daily reminders from the Vermont Department of Health and must attest to meeting the travel requirements.

Lodging occupancy limits will be increased to 50% or 25 total guests and staff, whichever is greater, and health, spacing, group size and hygiene requirements remain in place. Dining operations at lodging properties must remain at 25% capacity, per existing restaurant guidance.

Get more details on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website.

Read the press release.

Protest Safely and Get Tested

Dr. Levine re-iterated his support for Vermonters engaging in public protests and other civic activities, but also asked all who are participating to get tested for COVID-19.

“Protesters are being altruistic in prioritizing the issues of historical injustice, structural racism, and economic inequality. Please, be altruistic again,” Dr. Levine urged. “Getting tested is important for your health, your family’s health and may be important for another Vermonter’s health that you interact with in the near future.”

You can find a pop-up test site near you by visiting https://humanresources.vermont.gov/popups

While you are out, please wear a face covering or mask and as much as possible, maintain 6-foot distance between yourself and others. If you're sick, take action from home.

New on healthvermont.gov

Weekly Data Summary
The Weekly Summary of Vermont COVID-19 Data, which gives Vermonters a more in-depth look at how the virus has impacted people in our state, has been updated. The summary is updated every Friday.

Traveler Information

Traveling to Vermont or coming back from a trip out of state? The Health Department’s new travel web page is dedicated to providing Vermonters with travel-related information and guidance, including for quarantining and testing.

NEW: Anyone coming to Vermont is strongly encouraged to sign up for daily symptom check reminders. You can:

✔ Get fast, easy, and free reminders by email, text or phone to check yourself for symptoms

✔ Access the Health Department for guidance and information quickly if you develop symptoms

✔ Help our public health teams contain the spread of COVID-19

The symptom check reminders, called Sara Alert, is not a contact tracing system. It is not GPS-based, so it does not monitor a person’s movements or track their location.

College students returning to Burlington can also use this web page as a resource — along with the city’s Supportive Quarantine Pilot Program — and sign up for Sara Alert.

Testing Information

COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Sites Open for Asymptomatic Vermonters

People who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 can make an appointment to be tested for the virus at pop-up sites located throughout the state to test for the virus.

Sites are currently scheduled through June 26. Find locations and make an appointment to be tested at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups. You can also call 2-1-1 or 802-828-2828. All clinics operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

We especially encourage health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and people returning to Vermont – such as college students, people who winter out of state and second home owners – to consider being tested.

Vermonters With Even Mild Symptoms Should Call Their Doctor to Be Tested

People with even mild symptoms are encouraged to call their health care provider to get tested. This includes parents of children who have possible symptoms. Your health care provider will ensure you receive proper care and treatment.

If you don’t have a health care provider: Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a community or hospital-connected clinic.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on June 7, 2020

Total cases*

1,063

Currently hospitalized

1

Hospitalized under investigation

13

Total people recovered

890

Deaths+

55

People tested

41,218

People being monitored

46

People completed monitoring

918

*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.

Find more information on new data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking on the map of Vermont. To allow time for analysts to verify an increasing volume of data, the dashboard will be updated no later than 12:00 p.m.

Guidance for Vermonters

Food Distribution

The Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont National have added additional meal distribution events next week. Supplies at each site are limited. For the full list of locations and details, visit: https://vem.vermont.gov/pods

Keep a List of Your Close Contacts
Health officials suggest that Vermonters keep a journal of contacts – a list of other people with whom you have been in close contact with each day. If you get sick, this will make it easier to get in touch with those people and so they can take precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19, including being tested if recommended.

Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health

Concerns about our health and finances during the pandemic, and the unsettled state of national affairs, has left many of us feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7: