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VDH COVID-19 Update: Winooski outbreak pushes cases to 1,075

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Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

June 8, 2020

New information is in red

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.

Outbreak Update

At Monday’s press briefing, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said as testing efforts continue, we are getting a clearer picture of the outbreak of COVID-19 that emerged in Winooski about two weeks ago.

The outbreak is now known to include people in neighboring Burlington. As of Sunday evening, a total of 62 cases are believed to be associated with the outbreak: 48 residents of Winooski, 9 Burlington residents, and 5 from other towns in Chittenden County. That includes 38 adults, and the rest children. People range in age from 1 to 64 years, with a median age of 21.

Only about 1 out of 5 of the people interviewed so far report that they had symptoms, which is in line with our growing understanding that many people with COVID-19 do not know they are infected.

Dr. Levine said additional cases related to this outbreak were expected as more people were tested, and he emphasized this could happen anywhere.

“There is no shame in getting this virus that’s been spreading around the world, across our country, and into our state,” Dr. Levine said. “It spreads because we share the air that we breathe.”

To date, Health Department contact tracers have reached everyone identified as close contacts. All the people reached report they are doing everything they can do to prevent further spread.

“No matter who you are or where you live, you can still walk the streets of Winooski and Burlington, or in any other community in Vermont,” Dr. Levine said. “Yes, the virus is still among us, but remains at very low levels across the state, and we want to keep it that way.”

Vermonters should continue to wear a face covering, keep a 6-foot distance from others, wash their hands often and stay home if they are sick.

The department is offering additional testing every day this week.

Testing 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.

Restart Vermont

Governor Phil Scott on Monday announced the resumption of organized sports starting June 15 with certain limitations, including:

  • Group numbers, including players, coaches and officials, may not exceed current limits on social gatherings - currently 25 or fewer individuals.
  • The number of spectators should be limited as much as possible and in no case should the number of spectators exceed current limits on social gatherings.
  • Competition between Vermont clubs (i.e., inter-squad games) is currently anticipated to resume starting July 1.

See the full guidelines on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website.

Protest Safely and Get Tested

We support Vermonters engaging in public protests and other civic activities, and ask all who are participating to get tested for COVID-19. Getting tested is important for your health, your family’s health and anyone you may you interact with in the near future.

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

Traveler Information

The Health Department’s travel web page providing Vermonters and visitors with travel-related information and guidance, including for quarantining and testing.

Anyone coming to Vermont is strongly encouraged to sign up for daily symptom check reminders.

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

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.

The University of Vermont and Champlain College are offering specimen collection this week for returning students.

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 8, 2020

Total cases*

1,075

Currently hospitalized

1

Hospitalized under investigation

12

Total people recovered

895

Deaths+

55

People tested

42,798

People being monitored

43

People completed monitoring

921

*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 will hold meal distribution events this 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: