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VDH COVID-19 Update: Dr Levine addresses misleading claims related to deaths

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Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

September 3, 2020

New information is in red.

This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19

Click the “See the Latest Update” button.

Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s COVID-19 web and data pages
healthvermont.gov/covid19

Health Commissioner Debunks ‘Viral’ Claim about COVID-19 Deaths

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, sought to debunk a misleading claim that “only 6%” of the reported COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are solely attributable to the new coronavirus.

This misleading claim stems from an Aug. 26 update the Centers for Disease Control posted on its website, which provides a detailed breakdown of the accompanying health conditions and contributing causes of death reported in people who have died of the new coronavirus in the United States.

The other 94% of the deaths were among people who had underlying health issues – issues that were part of their health profiles – but each of these people died from COVID-19.

“I have to make it clear,” Dr. Levine said, at last Tuesday’s press conference. “Many of these people [with chronic conditions] would not have died this year if COVID was not here. They’ve had this burden of disease that they’ve lived with for sometimes months, sometimes years, sometimes decades. COVID tipped them over. It was overwhelming and their system couldn’t handle it.”

“It didn’t mean they died of something else. They died of COVID in the setting of having all these other underlying diseases. And I hate to tell you, but lots of Americans have a lot of these underlying diseases.”

We encourage Vermonters to use trusted sources of information and help make sure public health data is being used responsibly.

Make sure a mask is on your back-to-school list

As many of us get ready to go back to school, it’s a good time to make sure we all have masks that fit comfortably on kid, teen and adult-sized faces, so we can keep everyone around us safe.

Check out these graphics from the Centers for Disease Control to help you choose and wear the right mask for you.

Get more information about masks, including our guidance on Face Coverings for Children.

Testing Opportunities in Rutland County

As the Health Department investigates an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Killington area, we remind anyone with even mild symptoms to contact their health care provider to be tested.

For anyone without symptoms that would like to be tested, additional pop-up testing events have been added. For more info visit healthvermont.gov/covid19testing.

Rutland Regional Medical Center has also opened a second testing location in the upper lot at 160 Allen St., Rutland on Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please call 802-747-1880 to schedule an appointment.

Anyone in the greater Killington community should continue to take the same every day steps as all Vermonters: wear a face mask and keep a 6-foot distance from others, wash hands often and well, and stay home when you’re sick.

New on healthvermont.gov

The Data Dashboard on our Current Activity in Vermont web page has a new look! It also now shows new COVID-19 data broken down by Vermont county. Choose the tab for “County-level Case Info.” You can see a graph of new and cumulative cases in each county, as well as breakdowns by age and by sex.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on September 3, 2020

Description

Number

Total cases*

1,637

(7 new)

Currently hospitalized

1

Hospitalized under investigation

2

Total people recovered

1,436

Deaths+

58

People tested

140,881

Travelers monitored

642

Contacts monitored

75

People completed monitoring

7,727

* 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 at the data dashboard: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.

Guidance for Vermonters

Get the information you need at our Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.

If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.

Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when near others.

Getting Tested for COVID-19

Anyone can get tested, but not everyone needs to get tested.

Talk with your health care provider If you think you should be tested for COVID-19.

If you don’t have a provider, dial 2-1-1, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center or one of Vermont's free & referral clinics.

Visit our testing web page for more guidance and where to get tested if you do need it.

Return to School Guidance

Schools: Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Vermont Schools

Mental Health: A Strong and Healthy Start: Social, Emotional and Mental Health Supports During COVID-19

Sports: Fall Sports Programs for the 2020-2021 School Year

Find additional resources on our Schools, Colleges and Child Care Programs web page, including a new document: How PreK-12 Schools Can Prepare for COVID-19 Cases in their School.

Traveler Information

Visit our Travel to Vermont web page for continually updated information and guidance, including about quarantine requirements, testing, and to sign up with Sara Alert for symptom check reminders.

Business Guidance

Visit the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s website for “Work Safe” guidance, which is updated regularly.

Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health

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

Get self-help tips and connect to mental health services at COVID Support VT.

See ways for Coping with Stress.

For more information: