VTDigger is posting regular updates on the coronavirus in Vermont on this page. You can also subscribe here for regular email updates on the coronavirus. If you have any questions, thoughts or updates on how Vermont is responding to COVID-19, contact us at coronavirus@vtdigger.org
This article was updated at 4:08 p.m. with a new total number of deaths in Vermont from COVID-19.
Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine announced Wednesday that 321 cases of the coronavirus have now been confirmed in Vermont, causing 16 deaths so far.
That marks an increase of 28 new cases since Tuesday, and two additional deaths since the Department of Health’s last update on Tuesday afternoon.
The latest figures are consistent with recent trends showing that the spread of coronavirus appears to be slowing in Vermont amid severe social distancing measures. The Scott administration will be discussing its own public health modeling at a press briefing on Thursday.
Levine said of the four most recent deaths, one occurred at a nursing home, another at a senior living facility, and two more were people being treated in hospitals.
Many of the deaths in Vermont thus far have occurred at the Burlington Health and Rehab facility, which experienced a COVID-19 outbreak early in Vermont’s fight against the virus. A health department spokesperson said one of the latest deaths was a resident at the facility.
Levine also announced Wednesday that all staff and residents of the Burlington facility are being tested for the coronavirus starting today. Previously the state was only testing people if they were showing symptoms or had come into close contact with infected individuals.
An outbreak at a second senior living complex, Pinecrest in Essex, has now killed at least three people. Levine said on Wednesday that the health department’s outbreak response team has now responded to cases at eight senior living facilities.
Levine added that the state is doing “appropriate isolation and contact tracing work” at each of the facilities where cases are confirmed.
“None of them should merit a scarlet letter,” Levine said of the facilities, noting that some of them were housing complexes rather than health care facilities. “This is really something we’re going to see more and more, not only in Vermont and across the nation.”
Levine listed the facilities where at least one resident or staffer has tested positive for the virus:
- Burlington Health and Rehab
- Residence at Quarry Hill in South Burlington
- Pinecrest in Essex
- Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare in Burlington
- Taft Farms Senior Living Community in Williston
- Lancaster Condos in South Burlington
- Shelburne House in Williston
- UVM Home Health and Hospice
Scott calls for volunteers
Gov. Phil Scott issued a call to action on Tuesday night asking Vermonters with past medical experience to join the state’s Medical Reserve Corps. He reiterated the call at Wednesday’s press conference.
Scott is calling all Vermonters to sign up to volunteer through a website allowing people to support the state’s response to COVID-19. This website directs those with medical and health care skills to the Medical Reserve Corps, and those with other needed skills to a quick registration process for other needs.
“I am asking every Vermonter to dig deep and find a way to give more in this incredibly challenging time,” Scott said. “As we prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases expected in the coming weeks, it will require each and every one of us to do our part to ease the burden on our health care system, the struggles of those less fortunate, and, ultimately, to save the lives of our friends and neighbors.”
The Medical Reserve Corps is seeking health care and mental health professionals, as well as those with health care-related administrative experience and those who have worked in homeless shelters.
Other volunteer positions potentially include drivers, food service, construction, IT and security. The governor is also asking those who can to volunteer at food banks, blood banks and other emergency supply efforts.
Restrictions on big box stores
The governor’s office also released a statement Tuesday night announcing new restrictions on big box stores.
The Agency of Commerce and Community Development directed large “big box” retailers, such as Walmart, Target and Costco, to cease in-person sales of non-essential items in order to reduce the number of people coming into the stores. Big box stores generate shopping traffic due to their size and the variety of their merchandise, and this puts people at risk, said Agency Secretary Lindsay Kurrle.
“This volume of shopping traffic significantly increases the risk of further spread of this dangerous virus to Vermonters and the viability of Vermont’s health care system,” Kurrle said.
“We are directing these stores to put public health first and help us reduce the number of shoppers by requiring online ordering, delivery and curbside pickup whenever possible, and by stopping the sale of non-essential items.”
Scott’s recent executive order allows only essential businesses to continue in-person sales, including hardware stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, fuel products and supplies or agricultural equipment.
Now, box stores must cease the in-person sale of items not listed in the executive order including arts and crafts, beauty, carpet and flooring, clothing, consumer electronics, entertainment, furniture and sports equipment. These items may still be purchased by phone with curbside pickup or online.
