Tuesday, March 24, 2020
WCAX first reported the case Tuesday afternoon.
The patient developed symptoms days after a stay at the Burlington Health & Rehab earlier this month, according to Ted Doyle, a spokesperson for LCB Senior Living, which operates the Quarry Hill facility and two others in Vermont.
The Pearl Street nursing home is considered the epicenter of the Vermont pandemic, accounting for 14 of 95 cases statewide and five of seven total fatalities.
The patient had recently received rehab services at the Burlington facility. Knowing that the virus was spreading there, the Quarry Hill home placed the patient in quarantine when she returned 10 days ago. She developed symptoms days later, Doyle said.
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Scott announced the monumental step in a press release Tuesday evening, saying that people should only leave home for "essential reasons," including grocery shopping; picking up medications; curbside pick-up of goods, meals or beverages; medical care; exercise; caring for others; and work.
“We all must do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 to minimize infections — particularly for those who are elderly or have underlying chronic health conditions — and prevent it from overwhelming our healthcare facilities," Scott said in the press release. "The more Vermonters who take this seriously and stay home, the faster we can return to normal.”
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That brings the death toll at the Pearl Street nursing home to five and the state's total to seven. The second death reported Tuesday was "one of the first positives" in Vermont, according to health department spokesperson Ben Truman.
Tuesday's numbers bring the state's coronavirus case count to 95.
The new patients' ages and counties of residence were not immediately available. Truman said the state will soon release a dashboard with demographic data.
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Monday, March 23, 2020
A prison employee who works at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport has coronavirus, Department of Corrections Interim Commissioner Jim Baker said Monday.
The staffer did not work in the secure portion of the facility where inmates live, Baker said, declining to specify the individual's role as a matter of privacy. The individual, who last worked on March 17, was in proximity to other employees who would work with inmates, Baker acknowledged.
Upon learning of the test result, the department took “immediate" steps, including deep cleaning the employee’s work area, Baker said. The department is also tracking other staff who had contact with the individual, a subsequent press release stated.
Baker said no inmates had been tested for COVID-19 as of Monday, but that the department is monitoring several who have fevers. There are just over 400 people incarcerated at Northern State Correctional Facility and 128 work there.
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Three more people have died at the Burlington nursing home that is the site of the largest outbreak of coronavirus in Vermont.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine said Monday afternoon that 14 patients and one staff member at the Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center have so far tested positive for the virus. The facility now represents a fifth of Vermont’s 75 total reported cases. Four of the state's five deaths have been associated with the home.
“As we've increased our test capacity, we are having more positive tests,” Levine said during a press conference Monday afternoon. “That should not be a surprise to anyone.”
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He also ordered the 850 students still on campus to leave amid the widening outbreak of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus. Those who move out by March 30 are eligible for a $1,000 housing credit.
Students without other options can apply for emergency housing.
UVM spring break ended on March 16, but most students never returned to campus. Instead, the university switched to remote learning, which began on March 18. That method of study will continue through the end of the school year, Garimella wrote.
"It has become clear that the responsible course of action in light of the global public health challenge confronting us is to have our students leave campus," his statement said.
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Sunday, March 22, 2020
Albert Petrarca has been holed up for weeks on the third floor at Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center, where he has been recovering from foot surgery. He is acutely aware that coronavirus is sweeping through the building, and he’s a nervous wreck.
In recent days, 12 elderly residents on the fourth and fifth floors above him have tested positive for COVID-19. One has died.
Petrarca, who is 70, is doing all he can to keep from getting sick. He keeps his door shut day and night. Naturally, the Burlington firebrand, known for his dogged protests against a Church Street mural, is also grilling the staff about their response. He has even summoned the facility’s director to demand that each of the 90 patients and 130-plus staffers be tested for the deadly virus.
So, as the case count rises, Petrarca is fuming.
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Saturday, March 21, 2020
The Vermont Department of Health on Saturday announced 20 new cases of coronavirus, including seven more residents of a Burlington nursing home that's been hard hit by the disease.
At least 12 elderly residents of the Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center have now tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak there was identified on Monday. The Pearl Street facility is home to about 90 total residents and rehab patients.
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Friday, March 20, 2020
The coronavirus outbreak at Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center widened as confirmed cases there jumped and state officials sought federal help to contain the spread.
Four more residents of the Pearl Street nursing home have tested positive, officials said Friday, just a day after an elderly resident died from the infection. And at least 25 other residents and staff were being tested, a Vermont Department of Health spokesperson said.
The latter figure means that many more at the facility are exhibiting respiratory symptoms, though health officials cautioned that other viruses such as the flu are also prevalent.
During a Friday afternoon press conference, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger described the unfolding situation as “the largest outbreak in the state.”
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Gen. Greg Knight told senators during a conference call that two part-time soldiers have been placed on active duty to help with emergency planning in the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Waterbury.
In addition, five airmen would be activated over the weekend to begin preparing to distribute supplies next week if necessary, Knight said. Gov. Phil Scott’s emergency declaration last week gave Knight the power to call up troops as needed in consultation with state emergency officials.
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