Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
October 1, 2020
New information is in red and bold.
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
Maine wedding: A lesson in avoiding complacency
Vermont continues to have a low number of COVID-19 cases, a testament to how well Vermonters have done to prevent the spread of the virus. But we can learn from experiences elsewhere how easily that progress could be reversed.
As part of his modeling presentation last Tuesday, Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak mentioned a wedding held in Millinocket, Maine that has been in the news.
Held August 7, the wedding exceeded the state’s event limit of 50 people, with about 62 attendees. It was held indoors, with few masks and little social distancing. Eighteen people who attended later tested positive.
Officials in Maine began to discover additional outbreaks linked to the wedding ─ at a rehabilitation center, a county jail, a church and a number of other places in York County.
So far, 180 cases and eight deaths have been connected to the wedding. New cases in York are being identified at nearly twice the rate as the previous surges in early April and close to triple the current statewide average, Pieciak reported. None of the deaths were among people who attended the wedding, they were people who were later infected by someone who did.
The Maine CDC Director, Dr. Nirav Shah, said “virus has achieved a certain level that it’s everywhere in wide circulation across [York] county… I am extremely, extremely concerned.”
The Maine CDC noted the major risk factors in outbreak included a lack of social distancing and mask wearing by people, institutional failures in following guidelines and regulations and complacency.
As Dr. Anthony Fauci said, a surge of cases is not inevitable here in Vermont. Let’s not let our guard down.
Antigen Testing
The Health Department today issued updating guidance to the state’s health care providers and facilities regarding the use of COVID-19 antigen testing in Vermont.
Some 180,000 rapid response antigen tests are coming to Vermont. They are intended to screen for people with symptoms. The Health Department today issued updating guidance to the state’s health care providers and facilities regarding the use of COVID-19 antigen testing in Vermont. A positive antigen test is followed with a PCR test.
In general, antigen tests should not be used to diagnose asymptomatic persons, but they might be informative in diagnostic testing situations in which the person has a known exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19. Antigen tests might produce false positive results when disease prevalence is low.
Time to Get Your Flu Shot
It’s more important than ever to get your flu shot this year ─ when both flu viruses and the new coronavirus may be spreading at the same time.
There is no shortage of flu vaccine this year. Many health care providers and pharmacies have doses available, and if they don’t yet, they will soon.
Who should get a flu shot? Anyone over 6 months old, with rare exceptions. And it’s especially important for anyone in a high-risk group or who has underlying health conditions.
Where can I get my flu shot? Through your provider, your local pharmacy, or look for a clinic near you. If you don’t have insurance, reach out to your local health office.
Find where to get a flu shot near you: healthvermont.gov/flu.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on October 1, 2020
|
Description |
Number |
||
|
Total cases* |
1,755 (3 new) |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
1 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
2 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
1,609 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
58 |
||
|
People tested |
163,844 |
||
|
Travelers monitored |
499 |
||
|
Contacts monitored |
41 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
8,950 |
* 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.
Return to School Guidance
All schools are now in Step III of the safety and health guidance. Read the guidance for more details: Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Vermont Schools
Questions about what this change means? Read Strong and Healthy Start FAQ: Transitioning From Step II to Step III.
Additional guidance includes:
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
Child care: Health Guidance for Child Care and Out of School Care
Find additional resources on our Schools, Colleges and Child Care Programs web page.
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.
The cross-state travel map is now updated each Tuesday.
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.
Business Guidance
Visit the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s website for “Work Safe” guidance.
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:
- 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.
Get self-help tips and connect to mental health services at COVID Support VT.
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