The Vermont Department of Health reported four new cases of coronavirus as of Monday afternoon, bringing the total of Vermont cases to 752. Health care professionals have conducted 10,585 tests in Vermont to date. One additional death was reported today, bringing the total to 29 in the state.
Through outreach and social media promotion, the Health Department has been helping Vermonters access resources to help them quit smoking. Covid-19 attacks the lungs, making it harder for people who smoke or vape – tobacco, cannabis or anything else – to fight off the virus and putting them at much greater risk of severe illness or even death. Vermonters can find online or phone quit coaching, quit resources and tools online.
The state’s Tobacco Control Program has seen an encouraging uptick in requests for Quitline and Quit Online services compared to March 2019. The department’s phone- and web-based services are designed to assist Vermonters age 13 and older with reducing and quitting tobacco use, including vaping. 802Quits sent 2,200 encouraging text messages to Vermonters last month, a doubling over the number sent in February.
The Tobacco Control Program also launched a youth cessation digital media campaign to support parents of teens who are addicted to vaping. The campaign educates parents – and youth influencers – on free 802Quits resources by phone and online for teens 13 and older.
The health department’s full report for today is here.
— Sarah Asch
