Updated 6 p.m.
Vermont reported 71 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the state’s total infection count to 461. Three more people have died.
The new positive cases represent about 12 percent of the 616 total test results reported on Saturday. That’s the highest single-day test count since March 29, when the state reported 1,327 new results. Vermont recently expanded testing to patients with mild and moderate symptoms.
The state’s death toll now stands at 20. Two of the three people reported dead on Saturday were patients at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Vermont Department of Health spokesperson Ben Truman said.
The other was a resident at Birchwood Terrace nursing home in Burlington, where 26 residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19. One employee there has also tested positive.
Meanwhile, the outbreak at Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center continues to grow. On Saturday, after testing for all but one resident was complete, the center reported 10 additional cases among residents. Many of these positive patients are asymptomatic, according to Genesis HealthCare spokesperson Lori Mayer.
“We have cohorted or separated residents appropriately based on the results and recommendations by the Department of Health,” she said.
Mayer would not say whether the facility plans to test all staff, writing in an email that Genesis was working with the health department “to determine next steps.” Fourteen have tested positive, bringing the center’s total case count to 46.
Nearly 16 percent of all coronavirus cases in Vermont stem from these two eldercare facilities.
Demographic data for the six dozen new cases was not immediately available.
Health officials estimate the state’s total cases will peak in late April or early May. Gov. Phil Scott said Friday he expects to extend his stay-at-home order beyond April 15, when it’s currently set to expire.
Vermont officials have also recommended that even asymptomatic people wear masks in public in accordance with recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The best way to slow the spread is to practice social distancing, according to the CDC.
Andrea Suozzo contributed data analysis.
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Very few people wearing masks in Hannaford’s, and none of employees. Come on folks, My mask protects you. If you don’t wear one you put me at risk. I will look for stores whose employees wear masks and who encourage shoppers to do same.
Price chopper is the worse. No protection for shopper and even less for the employees.
No hand sanitizer, no register cleaning, no shield for cashiers. Very sad.
Does anyone know how long it is taking for VT residents to get results back? As I read the article I have questions. From the quotes below taken from this article it makes me think that the 71 new cases reported on Saturday were from tests taken on Saturday (although it does not state that). Is that true? When you are reporting new positive cases and attributing it to a percent of total tests done on a certain day I am not sure how helpful or clear that is to the public. Is there a way the public can get clarity on this? – Thank you for your work.
“Vermont reported 71 new coronavirus cases on Saturday….
….The new positive cases represent about 12 percent of the 616 total test results reported on Saturday.”
Paul, masks are not easy to come by for the general public. Yes. We can make them but even that is not so simple for many.
My. Philio, as someone with a very compromised immune system thanks to my multiple sclerosis meds, I’m sorry but I’d like to be able to go outside sometime soon. I think people need to try just a tiny bit harder. Want me to make you a mask? It actually isn’t that hard, there are tutorials everywhere and sewing isn’t that complicated a skill. Might even be a good time to pick it up but since I know how, and I’m certainly not doing anything. I would be happy to make you a mask. For your safety and mine. I just don’t get why its easier for everyone to make excuses than want to protect each other.
nvrmnd you certainly have the right attitude during this time. There are a lot of patterns online to make masks and people are making masks to donate to health institutions. With communications like 7 Days and front porch communication perhaps people who can make them can provide them to others. My wife has made several batches to donate and I have mailed some to people i work with so they have masks as well.
I’ve been wearing a mask before the virus even reached the US. People thought it was funny and scoffed at the idea, but then these are the same people who are blaming China or the man in office for this pandemic. While we heard about the virus tearing through Wuhan, WE still traveled around the globe. When the virus reached here, WE were careless and couldn’t stop partying and socializing. People in the grocery store STILL stand too close and cough. What people need to start doing is taking responsibility and thinking for themselves. Protect yourselves and each other.
Go ahead and make as many masks as you can. Right now most do-gooders who are making masks are donating them to essential workers and hospitals (excellent causes). There isn’t really anyone getting them to regular citizens who might not even have sewing supplies let alone the basic skills to fashion a functioning mask. Is wearing a shoddily made mask crafted by some hack really that much better than observing every other mandate (not going out, six plus feet of space, washing hands, etc.)?
On an aside, some masks I’ve seen actually do more harm than good (scarves, and other devices that are laborious to take off so as to spread the virus more in the process of removing them). Masks are not supposed to be handled too much.
Lastly, some people are truly assholes and are not doing their part to practice safety. Others are trying to keep up with Governor Scott’s almost whimsical mandates as quickly as possible. The mandate to start wearing masks should have been made with a list of places to get them.
I for one, don’t have the sewing skills and supplies to make a mask. I also went on Amazon and ebay to see if they had any and the prices were crazy! They are price gouging and it makes me sick what they are doing.. And they don’t ship them for a month! So I got lucky and just ordered a six pack of bandanas for fairly cheap on eBay.. I’ll be glad when this shit is over with, if it ever is…
I usually go to shaws. I’ve been to price chopper and don’t care for it. I have had to avoid people that get to close to me and are careless!