Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 19, 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
Modeling Shows Continued Improvement
The latest modeling from the Department of Financial Regulation shows that Vermont remains well within the established “guardrails” of the four key reopening metrics. Along with a general regional improvement, this allows for travel to and from more counties in the Northeast without requiring quarantine.
Governor Scott said today, "Our data continues to show Vermont trending in the right direction. In fact, as of today we had the lowest percent-positivity rate in the USA - fewer than 1% of COVID-19 tests were positive this week. We'll continue to take a safe and methodical approach."
Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine also responded to a number of cases, including three subsequent deaths from COVID-19, of people who attended the last University of Vermont basketball game.
The first positive case in Vermont was in Bennington on March 7, Dr Levine said. The men's basketball game was on March 10. And the second Vermont case was identified on March 11. The first deaths were announced on March 19.
He said the governor invoked the State of Emergency on March 13 and with it closed the schools and nursing homes to visitors. Dr Levine said that at the time the state was doing everything it could and didn't have any testing or tracing equipment at the time.
The Winooski outbreak saw its numbers jump nearly 20 as some cases thought to be unrelated are now attributed to cases related to a network of people, mostly in Winooski and Burlington. There are not deaths associated with the outbreak and the average age is relatively young, with 40 percent of the 101 cases in children.
Restart Vermont
Governor Phil Scott announced on Friday next steps for reopening the state’s hospitality industry. Effective June 26, event, arts, culture and entertainment venues, as well as restaurants can expand capacity for events and dining to 50% of approved occupancy size or one person per 100 square feet of customer facing space. This change will allow for indoor events of up to 75 people and outdoor organized events of up to 150 people.
Agency of Commerce and Community Development has updated its Drive-in Operation guidance (Section 5.2) to make clear that firework displays can move forward if drive-in viewing events.
Starting today, long-term care residential facilities can allow for up to two visitors per resident, per day. The visits must be conducted outside only and follow guidance for social distancing, temperature checks, and record keeping of all visitors.
See the new guidance for long-term care facilities.
Vermonters over the age of 65 will no longer be asked to stay home, but that they do need to take extra precautions when they go out, including:
- Choosing outdoor activities whenever possible and keeping indoor contact brief.
- Considering how big a space is, how many people are there and if they are following COVID-19 prevention practices.
- Minimize face to face contact while talking or while doing activities that require exertion.
- Keeping your social circle small, limited to a few trusted households.
- Putting off travel plans outside of Vermont, where risk is higher.
Additional announcements include:
- Updated guidance easing hospital visitation restrictions
- Technical assistance to restart Senior Centers
Read the Governor’s press release.
The Heat Is On
The National Weather Service has forecast temperatures in areas of Vermont in excess of 90-degrees Fahrenheit over the next several days. These conditions create a serious risk for dangerous and sometimes deadly heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.
Hot weather safety tips and information are available from the Department of Health.
Supporting Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Care
Vermont has received a $2 million federal emergency grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for expanded services and supports. The funding will help ensure that people with mental health and substance use disorders can access care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reopening Our Schools
The Agency of Education and the Health Department have released A Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools, Fall 2020. This guidance document provides essential information for school administrators and personnel as they plan and implement the reopening of our schools for the 2020-21 school year in the context of COVID-19.
Protest Safely and Get Tested
We support Vermonters engaging in peaceful protests and other civic activities. We remind everyone that it continues to be important to follow universal precautions when you are out – wear a face covering or mask when near others, maintain 6-foot distance, and if you're sick, find actions to make yourself heard from home.
We encourage anyone who is participating in a public action to get tested for COVID-19.
Find a pop-up test site near you by visiting humanresources.vermont.gov/popups
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on June 19, 2020
|
Total cases* |
1,144 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
2 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
6 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
918 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
56 |
||
|
People tested |
55,887 |
||
|
People being monitored |
860 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
1,127 |
*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 the data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.
Guidance for Vermonters
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
- If you are having even mild symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.
- Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when near others.
- Most information is available online: Visit our Frequently Asked Questions.
New question added to the data dashboard FAQs:
- Are people who live out-of-state included in the number of people hospitalized and hospitalized under investigation?
(spoiler alert: Yes, if they are hospitalized in Vermont.)
Traveler Information
Get the latest info about travel to Vermont, including for quarantining and testing.
Anyone coming to Vermont is strongly encouraged to sign up for Sara Alert daily symptom check reminders.
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:
- 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.
- See ways for Coping with Stress.
For more information:
- COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data: healthvermont.gov/covid19.
- Governor’s actions: governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
- The state’s modeling: dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.