The state Department of Health reported two new Covid-19 cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of people diagnosed with the illness in Vermont since the outbreak began in March to 1,210.
The death toll remains at 56; the last reported death was June 18. There are two people hospitalized with the virus and 16 hospitalized with suspected, but not confirmed, cases.
The state reported it has conducted 66,292 tests, an increase of 528 from Tuesday.
At the governor’s press conference Wednesday, Health Commissioner Mark Levine said that the state has conducted a rolling seven-day average of 1,245 tests per day, with more than 8,700 done in the past week.
Levine said, “we were heartened to see” a new analysis that researchers at Harvard conducted for NPR that found Vermont was one of only four states doing enough testing to subdue the coronavirus. The other three states were Alaska, Montana and Hawaii.
People who have symptoms consistent with Covid-19 should call their health care provider for testing.
Anyone who desires a test can get a referral through their health care provider. Additionally, health department testing sites are open throughout the state for anyone who is asymptomatic and wants a test. Testing sites can be found here: https://humanresources.vermont.gov/popups
The state is relaxing its visitors guidelines and allowing those from farther afield who live in low infection (less than 400 per million residents) counties to visit without having to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival. More information for visitors is at the health department’s website.
The health department’s full update is here.
— Cate Chant
