Vermont Business Magazine The Health Department reported Tuesday that three more Vermonters had died of COVID-19 since last Friday, for a statewide total of 72 and a total case count of 4,239. There have been 13 deaths since November 17. November also had the highest case count of any month since the beginning of the pandemic. However, Governor Scott said Tuesday that the daily case growth has subsided and Vermonters appear to be following the more stringent guidelines he ordered for the Thanksgiving holiday. He said he will wait to see what the data reveals over the next week or so to see if he will lift those restrictions for Christmas. The tougher protocols, requiring no gatherings beyond your own household, resulted from multiple outbreaks following Halloween parties.
The recent deaths were spread across the state: Four in Rutland County; three in Franklin County; two in Windham County and one each in Caledonia, Chittenden, Orange and Orleans counties. Dr Levine said they are tracking 39 outbreaks. Cases at long-term care facilities have resulted in several of the deaths. This, he said, reflects the current higher level of virus in the community, which is then brought into the facilities unknowingly by asymptomatic staff.
Also, the VDH is asking people who were tested for COVID-19 on November 27, 2020 at Barre Auditorium to get retested. This action is needed because a delay by the company responsible for shipping the original samples to Broad Laboratories in Cambridge, MA, rendered the samples useless. Approximately 249 samples were affected. The Health Department late Monday sent emails to notify people of the shipping error and the need for retesting if desired.
The state is investigating the cause of the shipping delay. It is also investigating why the subsequent emails were made public. Health Commissioner Mark Levine and Agency Secretary Mike Smith both apologized for the need to retest and for the email problems.
“This shouldn’t have happened, and I personally apologize to the Vermonters who were doing the right thing to protect themselves and their communities by getting tested,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “Nearly a quarter of a million people in the state have now been tested, and we will ensure shipping issues do not again interfere with protecting the health of Vermonters.”
If you were one of the people affected, you can get retested Wednesday or later this week. Your test samples will be expedited for processing and results. While there are plenty of regular and pop-up testing options available in the Central Vermont area, Health officials are recommending that people go to the nearby sites in Northfield, Berlin or Waterbury. Clinic staff are ready to fast track retesting and sample processing.
To help speed up the process, the Health Department encourages everyone to preregister for their tests. However, people may also walk-in anytime during testing hours.
To find the sites and to register, go to healthvermont.gov/covid-19/
According to Smith, the UPS shipment was left at a warehouse in Somerville, MA, for 72 hours. The VDH was not informed of this until 50 hours later (Monday evening), by which time the samples were spoiled.
Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
December 1, 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
Health Department to Begin Reporting “Probable” COVID-19 Cases
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the Health Department will begin including probable cases in the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Vermont starting today, December 2, with its Daily Update late afternoon.
The number of cases of COVID-19 the Health Department currently reports includes only cases confirmed by a PCR test.
A case is considered “probable” if the person:
- tested positive on an antigen test AND has symptoms of COVID-19 OR epidemiologic evidence, OR…
- has symptoms of COVID-19 AND is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed case of COVID-19
For all probable cases, Health Department teams take the same public health actions as if the person was a confirmed case (by PCR test). This means that contact tracers conduct interviews with probable cases, provide isolation guidance, and their close contacts are notified to quarantine.
Reporting probable cases as part of our total counts will more fully capture COVID-19 activity in Vermont, at a time when antigen testing is increasing, particularly in places like in nursing homes, Dr. Levine said.
The impact on the data right now is minimal – about 120 cases that are considered probable will be included in the total cases.
Shipping Error Results in Need for Retesting
The Health Department is asking people who were tested for COVID-19 on November 27, 2020 at Barre Auditorium to get retested. This action is needed because a delay by the company responsible for shipping the original samples to Broad Laboratories in Massachusetts rendered the samples useless. Approximately 249 samples were affected.
The Health Department late Monday sent emails to notify people of the shipping error and the need for retesting if desired. The state is investigating the cause of the shipping delay.
“This shouldn’t have happened, and I personally apologize to the Vermonters who were doing the right thing to protect themselves and their communities by getting tested,” said Dr. Levine. Nearly a quarter of a million people in the state have been tested to date.
Anyone affected can get retested Wednesday or later this week, and their samples will be expedited. While there are plenty of regular and pop-up testing options available in the Central Vermont area, Health officials are recommending that people go to the nearby sites in Northfield, Berlin or Waterbury.
To help speed up the process, people are encouraged to preregister. However, walk-ins are welcome.
To find the sites and to register, go to healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing
What You Need to Know Now
As Vermont sees a surge in cases of COVID-19, know how you can help stop the spread:
- Do not get together or socialize with anyone you don’t live with (see more details and allowances here).
- Avoid traveling when possible, even within Vermont. Anyone who travels to or from Vermont must quarantine. The only exception is for essential travel.
- Wear a mask and keep a 6-foot distance from anyone outside your household.
- If you’re sick, stay home.
- Not everyone with COVID-19 has a fever. Even mild symptoms (like a headache or dry cough) could be signs of COVID-19. Talk to your health care provider about getting tested and stay home while waiting for your result.
- Also seek testing if you are a close contact of a case. If you gathered with others outside your household, quarantine and get tested right away, and on Day 7 or later.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on December 1, 2020
|
Description |
Number |
||
|
New cases* |
63 (4,239 total) |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
28 |
||
|
Hospitalized in ICU |
2 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
4 |
||
|
Percent Positive (7-day average) |
1.7% |
||
|
People tested |
225,228 |
||
|
Total tests |
555,633 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
2,564 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
72 |
||
|
Travelers monitored |
205 |
||
|
Contacts monitored |
130 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
11,120 |
* 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.
Guidance for Vermonters and Businesses
Health information, guidance and data: healthvermont.gov/covid19
Sector guidance: accd.vermont.gov/covid-19
Modeling: dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling
Governor’s actions: governor.vermont.gov/covid19response
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.
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.
For more tips and resources visit our Coping With Stress web page.
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.
