VDH COVID-19 Update: 16 cases, kids get COVID too
82 * Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.+ Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending. Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information.Find more at the data dashboard: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity(link is external).Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities and Adult Day ProgramsFind guidance for long-term care facilities(link is external) and adult day programs(link is external), on the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living’s Restart Vermont web page(link is external).Guidance for Vermonters and BusinessesHealth information, guidance and data: healthvermont.gov/covid19(link is external)By sector guidance: accd.vermont.gov/covid-19(link is external)Travel map and modeling: dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling(link is external)Governor’s actions: governor.vermont.gov/covid19response(link is external)Get the information you need at our Frequently Asked Questions(link is external).School Guidance Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Vermont Schools(link is external)Strong and Healthy Start FAQ: Transitioning from Step II to Step III(link is external)Mental Health: A Strong and Healthy Start: Social, Emotional and Mental Health Supports During COVID-19(link is external)Sports: Fall Sports Programs for the 2020-2021 School Year(link is external)Child care: Health Guidance for Child Care and Out of School Care(link is external)More resources on our Schools, Colleges and Child Care Programs web page(link is external).Traveler InformationVisit our Travel to Vermont(link is external) web page for information and guidance, including about quarantine requirements, testing and to sign up with Sara Alert for symptom check reminders(link is external).The cross-state travel map(link is external) is updated each Tuesday.Getting Tested for COVID-19Anyone can get tested, but not everyone needs to get tested.Talk with your health care provider If you think you should be tested for COVID-19.If you don’t have a provider, dial 2-1-1, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center(link is external) or one of Vermont’s free & referral clinics(link is external).Visit our testing web page(link is external) for more guidance and where to get tested if you do need it.Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental HealthIf you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:Call your local mental health crisis line(link is external). Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline(link is external) at 1-800-273-8255.Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line(link is external).For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide(link is external).Get self-help tips and connect to mental health services at COVID Support VT(link is external).See ways for Coping with Stress(link is external). People completed monitoring 1,971(16 new) Number 180,694 Hospitalized under investigation 1 58 9,849 Contacts monitored 3 536 Travelers monitored People tested 1,708 Deaths+ Total people recovered Total cases* Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)October 21, 2020New or updated information is in red and bold.This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19(link is external)Click the “See the Latest Update” button.Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s COVID-19 web and data pageshealthvermont.gov/covid19(link is external)COVID-19 Data in ChildrenChildren make up 13% of Vermont’s COVID-19 cases, with 30% of them 18 or 19 years old.To learn more about cases of COVID-19 among children in Vermont — defined as age 19 and younger — take a look at our latest Weekly Data Summary(link is external) (starting on p.19) The Summary is updated each week and is an excellent source of visualized COVID-19 Vermont data, including race and ethnicity, testing, outbreaks, common symptoms in children, and more.Dispose of your unused, unwanted & expired prescription drugs on Take Back DayThis Saturday, October 24, is Prescription Drug Take Back Day — when you can dispose of leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs safely at a collection site near you.The Take Back Day scheduled for last April was cancelled due to the pandemic, “so this is a great opportunity to make up for lost time,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD.“More than half of people who misuse prescription medication get it from a friend or relative — often straight out of the medicine cabinet,” Dr. Levine said. “We already know COVID-19 is taking a toll on Vermonters with substance use disorder, and unfortunately, we have seen an increase in opioid fatalities this year compared to last year. By disposing of medications safely — especially prescription painkillers — you can do your part to keep anyone from ever misusing them.”So, this coming weekend, grab your unused medications, of course your mask, before heading to a drop-off location. Get more info at healthvermont.gov/doyourpart(link is external).And remember, you don’t have to wait for a Take Back Day either — many drug disposal sites in Vermont are permanent. Or you can request a free mail-back envelope through our website. Get Your Flu Shot – Stay Healthy and Prevent a “Twindemic”It’s especially important for everyone to get their flu shot this year – when flu viruses and the new coronavirus may be spreading at the same time. Help keep flu out of the picture!We encourage everyone older than 6 months old (with rare exceptions), and especially people in a high-risk group(link is external) or who have underlying health conditions to get their flu vaccine.Go to healthvermont.gov/flu(link is external) to learn more about the flu, the vaccine and find where to get a flu shot near you.Case InformationCurrent COVID-19 Activity in VermontAs of 12 p.m. on October 21, 2020 Description Currently hospitalized