STOWE, Vt. (AP) - The governor ordered schools in Vermont closed by no later than Wednesday to stem the coronavirus outbreak, as public health officials announced additional cases Sunday, bringing the total number in the state to eight.
Four of the state’s cases have involved Vermonters and the others have been visitors, the Vermont Department of Health said Sunday. The three new cases all involve visitors. They include a male resident of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, who is in his 70s; a male in his 50s from Suffolk County, Massachusetts; and a female resident of New York City who is in her 20s.
For most people, the coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, results in only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.
The Berkshire County resident is receiving treatment at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center while the other two are self-isolating at homes in Vermont, the health department said.
State health officials are in touch with authorities in Massachusetts and New York while a health department team works to investigate the patients’ travel histories, authorities said.
SCHOOLS CLOSED STATEWIDE
Republican Gov. Phil Scott on Sunday announced the dismissal of all schools - pre-k-12 - and the cancellation of all school-related activities by no later than Wednesday. The directive will last until at least April 6 and could be extended, Scott’s office said in a statement.
Scott’s office said local districts will collaborate with state officials to provide childcare options for healthcare workers and others who are essential to Vermont’s response to the virus outbreak. Scott, who declared a state of emergency in the state on Friday, called the response to the outbreak “a moment of service for all of us.”
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SKI RESORT CLOSURES
Ski resorts in Vermont have announced closures designed to help prevent the spread of the virus. Killington Resort and Pico Mountain are both scheduled to be closed through March 22.
Stowe Mountain, Stratton Mountain and Sugarbush Resort also announced closures.
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The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.
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