VDH COVID-19 Update: 24 new cases, holiday travel guidance, limit gatherings

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

November 6, 2020

New or updated 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

State officials advise social gatherings should be limited to 10 people or fewer

Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, announced an advisory on social gatherings, strongly recommending they be limited to 10 or fewer people.

At Friday’s press conference, Dr. Levine noted that Vermont, like many other states, is seeing cases of COVID-19 as a result of socializing. Contact tracers have documented events that have contributed to COVID-19 transmission in Vermont, including holiday parties, birthday parties, dinner parties, baby showers and barbecues.

Vermont’s 10-person gathering advisory is designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 that can stem from these types of gatherings.

“This applies to all gatherings, including just getting together with friends socially at home, on campus, or around town,” Dr. Levine said. “Now is the time to keep our social circles small.”

He added that even within this limit, Vermonters should only gather with a very limited number of trusted households. COVID-19 can spread easily among people in close contact who may not know they have the virus.

Governor Scott added: “We strongly advise Vermonters to limit gatherings in general, and if you host them, be smart and take precautions. I know this is difficult news, especially around the holidays. But by being smart about gatherings and travel now, we can keep schools and our economy open, and we will get through this pandemic faster and on better footing than just about any other state.”

The winter sports outbreak in Central Vermont started with a small gathering off the ice and is now credited with 113 cases reaching into several counties, schools and the outbreak at St Michael's College.

Read the press release.

New on healthvermont.gov

The Health Department has developed a Holiday Travel Toolkit for Schools for use in helping families to consider their plans carefully to protect themselves and others. The toolkit offers resources to help Vermonters evaluate risk and tips for talking with family and friends about COVID safety. Click here for those resources.

About 2% of people with COVID-19 in Vermont have a neurological condition or intellectual disability. The majority of them tend to be older. Learn more about COVID-19 cases among people with neurological conditions and intellectual disabilities in the latest Weekly Data Summary Spotlight.

We’ve reorganized our COVID-19 web pages, making them even easier for people to find the information, guidance and data they need and want! Take a minute to check out the changes at healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on November 6, 2020

* 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 data at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.

Get Your Flu Shot!

It’s especially important for everyone to get their flu shot this year – when flu viruses and the new coronavirus may be spreading at the same time. Help keep flu out of the picture!

We encourage everyone older than 6 months old (with rare exceptions) — and especially

people in a high-risk group or who have underlying health conditions — to get their flu vaccine. Learn more about the flu and find a flu shot.

Guidance for Vermonters and Businesses

Health information, guidance and data: healthvermont.gov/covid19

By sector guidance: accd.vermont.gov/covid-19

Travel map and modeling: dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling

Governor’s actions: governor.vermont.gov/covid19response

Find guidance for long-term care facilities and adult day programs, on the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s Restart Vermont web page.

Get the information you need at our Frequently Asked Questions.

School & Child Care Guidance

• 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
• Child care: Health Guidance for Child Care and Out of School Care

More resources on the Your Community web page.

Traveler Information

Visit our Travel to Vermont web page for 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 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.

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.

Visit VT Helplink to get connected to Alcohol and Drug Support Services.

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

See ways for Coping with Stress.