Vermont Reports Two More Deaths as Coronavirus Cases Climb | Off Message

Vermont Reports Two More Deaths as Coronavirus Cases Climb

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A worker processes samples at the state lab - OLIVER PARINI
  • Oliver Parini
  • A worker processes samples at the state lab
The Vermont Department of Health on Tuesday announced 20 additional cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths, including another patient at the Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center.

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.

The data released Tuesday show that the state processed a record 362 tests in one day. The state's average daily testing capacity has increased nearly sixfold in the last two weeks: Since Sunday, the state has processed an average of 186 tests per day; last week, that number was 107, and two weeks ago, just 32 tests a day.

The state has now tested 1,535 samples since the first case was announced on March 7. Nearly 340 people are being monitored for COVID-19 symptoms, and 316 have successfully completed monitoring.
Also Tuesday, the health department confirmed that the state will relocate more than 10 short-term residents of the Burlington rehab facility that's been the epicenter of the Vermont coronavirus outbreak.

If the patients consent to the move into the Doubletree by Hilton hotel in South Burlington, the University of Vermont Medical Center will take over their care there and discharge them.

Derek Brouwer contributed reporting.

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