7/14/20 Covid Special Report
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7/14/20: Special Covid Post
Covid is going to be with us for quite a while. There are going to be outbreaks and clusters, which we will alert you to if they are relevant to our community.
If you have been following the Cavendish VT Facebook page, you will know there is an outbreak underway in Manchester VT and surrounding towns. In addition, a child tested positive who was at the Chester pool on July 9 from 6-6:45. If you or a member of your family was at the pool at that time, please contact your medical provider for follow up care as well as the Chester Town Office (802-875-2173) to confirm contact information
There have been reports of baseball games where a player has tested positive and as a result, Springfield and Bellows Falls have placed their practices on hold for the week. Chester recently held a softball tournament where masking and social distancing were not being regularly observed.
Finally, the Londonderry Town Office is now closed with staff in quarantine as a result of a person visiting the town office who tested positive.
This morning Manchester Medical Center (MMC) posted to their Facebook page an explanation of what’s happening at their facility. The issues they describe-high tourism and 2nd homeowner communities- are just as relevant for the Okemo Valley.
I will confirm that over the past 72 hours, we have had 42 positive cases and likely 30+ false negative tests, at least (meaning folks may be contagious, but the test doesn’t detect it). This general report does not indicate which town/county/state that these cases came from, in order to protect privacy. I provide you with this information for the reminder that VT is not excluded during this pandemic. I want our community safe.
The VT Department of Health (VDH) publishes new case numbers daily. Are they an actual reflection of what’s taking place in our community? No. Positive cases are counted in the person’s residency state. So if you live part of the year in VT and the other half somewhere else, if you test positive, the result will be counted in which ever state you declared as your primary residency.
Understanding Testing and Reporting: MMC uses an “antigen” test, also called the “rapid test,” which gives you immediate results. Anyone testing positive is positive. However, there is a 12% error rate for false tests. In other words, you test negative but are in fact positive. This is known as a “false positive.”
Anyone who tests positive on the antigen test is considered “presumptive positive” by VDH and will need a PCR test for the state to include them in their statistics. Note that if their primary residence is not VT, they still aren’t going to be reflected in VT’s report.
The preferred test is the PCR test, which is what VDH uses. Accuracy for positive tests, like the antigen test, is high. However, it too has a false negative rate, about half that of the antigen test-6%.
Today’s statistics from VDH for Covid reporting, indicate that there were only 4 new cases in VT, with none being from Windham County.
No information is provided on presumptive cases. According to Dr. Mark Levine, at today’s Governor’s press conference, there are only two places in the state (MMC and UVMC) to his knowledge that do antigen testing and this is the first time something like this has happened.
It’s a bit of a head scratcher when MMC is reporting they most likely have about 70 cases of Covid and yet VDH reports 0. However, VDH has begun contact tracing everyone who has tested positive and is encouraging those that tested antigen positive, as well as those that are suspected of being positive but tested negative, to participate in tomorrow’s pop up testing at Flood Brook. A number of those going to MMC are showing symptoms of infection.
Particularly emphasized at today’s press conference was the need for Vermonters traveling out of state to areas that are not deemed “safe” and returning home and not quarantining. Indications are that this is part of the reason for the outbreak in the greater Manchester/Londonderry area.
Where to get testing: Anyone can get a free PCR Covid test. Use the state’s testing locations website to learn about available Pop Up testing. On July 15, there will be pop up testing at Flood Brook School, Brattleboro District and in Rutland. There will be testing in White River Junction on July 16. While there are walk in slots, the Flood Brook site is already booked solid tomorrow and expect a long wait for walk ins.
Know the symptoms: There isn’t any flu in Vermont, so if you are experiencing any of the following, please consider being tested: Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Younger people with less severe COVID-19 might develop painful, itchy lesions on their hands and feet that resemble chilblains, an inflammatory skin condition. Sometimes called COVID toes, this symptom typically lasts about 12 days. COVID-19 also has been reported to cause small, itchy blisters, more commonly appearing before other symptoms and lasting about 10 days. Others might develop hives or a rash with flat and raised lesions. These skin changes might last a week, appear at the same time as other symptoms and are associated with more severe infections.
• Eye problems. COVID-19 might cause eye problems such as enlarged, red blood vessels, swollen eyelids, excessive watering and increased discharge. The infection also might cause light sensitivity and irritation. These symptoms are more common in people with severe infections.
If you experience any of the following seek emergency help immediately. If you are going to your local emergency room, call ahead:
• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face
What does this mean for Cavendish?: Covid is here and even if the state continues to report we’ve had no cases that’s probably not true since there are bound to be asymptomatic individuals as well as non-residents testing positive but not counted .
Cavendish is trying to bring some normalcy to our summer by continuing the Concert series and the Town Wide Tag sale. For these to be safe and fun places it is required that everyone wears a mask and stays six feet apart. At the Town Wide Tag Sale please make use of the hand sanitizing and mask distribution points-Gazebo Proctorsville Green and the Cavendish Baptist Church in Cavendish village. Vendors should consider one way signs and if anyone shows up without a mask, please direct them to places where they can pick up free ones.
Covid is not going to suddenly disappear and we can expect masks and “safer six” to be part of our life for the next 12-18 months. We need to find ways to enjoy where we live without jeopardizing one another.
And please, a nose over the mask is as obnoxious as pants wearers sporting butt cracks. Pull the mask over your nose and use a mask that has a clamp to keep your nose covered
If you are in quarantine:. If you need assistance, and we do not care about your residency status, we just want you safe and healthy please e-mail cavendishconnects@gmail.com or call the 802-226-7291 (M-F).
CA❤︎ENDSH IS A S©FER SIX COMMUNITY
Covers mouth & nose
Always masks in public
Vermonters keep each other safe
Elbow coughs
Never forgets to wash hands
Disinfects common surfaces
Is alert for symptoms
Stays 6 feet apart
Has respect for personal space
