BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Department of Health on Thursday reported six new positive cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, including three that are linked to an outbreak in Winooski.
The new cases raise to 86 the number of cases linked to the Winooski outbreak. They brought the statewide total of positive cases of the novel coronavirus to 1,135.
Also Thursday, the state reported the first death from COVID-19 since the end of May, bringing the statewide total to 56.
The new cases come as the state is continuing to gradually reopen.
On Wednesday, Gov. Phil Scott announced that outdoor visits would be allowed at the state’s long-term care facilities. The state also announced that limited visitation would be allowed for hospital patients.
More details of the state’s reopening are expected to be released on Friday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
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MENTAL HEALTH GRANT
The state of Vermont has received a $2 million federal grant to ensure people with mental health and substance use disorders can access care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Departments of Health and Mental Health will use the funds to expand services for Vermonters who need them. The grant will also provide increased access to mental health care for health care workers.
“It’s easy to forget that COVID-19 stresses our mental health as well as being a risk for serious physical illness,” Sarah Squirrell, commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, said in a statement.
Among the plans for the grant funding include allowing providers to deliver take home drugs for people in opioid treatment programs and using technology to enable people in isolation to receive treatment via telehealth.
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VERMONT LEGISLATURE COVID RELIEF
The Vermont House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation that would provide almost $400 to help the state cope with the pandemic.
Vermont is receiving $1.25 billion from the federal government through the CARES Act, passed by Congress to respond to the pandemic.
Scott has criticized the Legislature for not moving faster to disperse the funds. Legislative leaders say they are working on it.
On Wednesday, the House passed a $300 million piece of Legislation that would provide $250 million to the state’s health care providers whose operations were impacted by the pandemic and to help them prepare for a resurgence.
Other funds would go to the Vermont Foodbank, for child care programs and other programs.
On Thursday, the House passed $95 million in legislation that includes $43 million for improving access to broadband and an additional $52 million for housing programs.
Both pieces of legislature must be passed by the Senate.
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