Vermont has had its first Covid-19 death in 43 days, the Department of Health reported Thursday.
The most recent death brings the total number of people who have died in Vermont with the illness since the beginning of the outbreak to 57.
The health department did not release any details about the individual who died, citing the patient’s privacy. The department said that any other people who may have been exposed to the illness through this individual have been contacted.
“Sadly, I learned today that we’ve lost another Vermonter to COVID-19, for the first time since June 16,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a tweet. “It is a sobering reminder that this virus is still among us, and it’s up to all of us to do our part to keep our friends, family and neighbors safe and healthy.”
The state has seen a dropoff in new Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations since its peak in April, and as recently as Friday had reported there were no Covid-19 patients in intensive care.
In a statement, Health Commissioner Mark Levine encouraged Vermonters to take steps to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
“I ask everyone in Vermont to join me in honoring this latest loss by recommitting to doing everything we can to keep each other safe and prevent further spread of this virus,” he said.
While the state hasn’t reported any details about the patient’s demographics, data for all 57 deaths shows that they tend to fall in older age categories. Fifty-five of the 57 deaths were people 70 or older.
As deaths from the virus have slowed, recent outbreaks have tended to hit younger Vermonters harder. The Winooski outbreak, for example, had a median age of 20, but no associated deaths.
More than half of Covid-19 deaths through June 24 took place in a long-term care facility. Most of the rest occurred in inpatient facilities rather than at home.
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