Green Up Day will be held on May 30.  It will look a little different in an effort to keep everyone safe.  Unfortunately lunch will not be available.  

For people who would like to volunteer in Wilmington, bags and route assignments will be available on May 30 at the entrance to Buzzy Towne Park on South Main St. from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  Coordinators will be there and social distancing procedures will be in place.  Safety first!

Masks are recommended if you are not working in a trusted group.

Ticks are out and grass along the roads is taller this year so long pants, long sleeves, gloves and sturdy shoes are recommended.  

Work facing traffic and stay off the roads.  Children need to be accompanied by an adult.

For questions,  route sign-up prior to May 30 or to suggest an area that needs clean up, please send an email to Kathy Larsen at kdlarsen@myfairpoint.net.  As much as possible, bags needed prior to May 30 will be made available on an individual basis.

The week following Green Up Day, the Wilmington highway department will collect full bags which are left along the roadside.  Please tie bags securely.  Leave large items alongside bags. Bags and items can also be taken to the old garage site where a town truck will be parked.  

Thanks for all your help!

Rotary and the MaskerAid women have boxes filled with masks at the Wilmington Post office, the Norton House and the Dover Town Office clothesline. They are free but the food Pantry address is on the boxes if anyone would like to make donations.

GOVERNOR PHIL SCOTT ISSUES ORDER ON TRAVEL AND LODGING RESTRICTIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH “STAY HOME, STAY SAFE” ORDER AND NEW CDC GUIDANCE

Calls for Compliance with CDC Travel Guidance for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Orders 14-Day Home-Quarantine for Anyone Traveling to Vermont

Updates Guidance and Compliance Measures for Lodging Operations

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today ordered additional restrictions on travelers arriving in Vermont and announced additional guidance for the lodging industry to enhance compliance with his Stay Home, Stay Safe order.

The measures under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, effective March 25, were implemented in consultation with the Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health to minimize all unnecessary activities outside the home to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and protect the public.

Governor Scott is taking additional action to encourage compliance with newly released CDC guidance around interstate travel from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which advised residents of those states to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days.

In light of the significant risk posed by the further spread of this dangerous virus to Vermonters and the viability of Vermont’s health care system, this new order directs residents and non-residents coming from outside the state for anything other than an essential purpose to home-quarantine for 14 days and strongly discourages travel to Vermont by those located in COVID-19 “hot spots.” Details and exemptions are outlined in Addendum 7.

“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,” said Governor Scott. “I understand there will be some who need to travel from other states to return to a home in Vermont or support a vulnerable family member. But we need anyone entering Vermont to abide by this 14-day self-isolation directive, and then follow Vermont’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order while here. We must work together to slow the spread of this virus.”

The Governor’s order also provides additional guidance to lodging providers to ensure compliance with the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, which suspended lodging operations.

The order makes clear that lodging facilities – which includes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, short term rentals (e.g. VRBO, Homeaway, Airbnb, etc.), and all public and private camping facilities and RV parks – are to be closed except for stated exemptions when supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. Additionally, the Governor has suspended online lodging reservations.

Under this order, the Vermont State Police and local law enforcement will monitor lodging providers for compliance and work with the Attorney General’s Office on additional compliance measures if needed.

Addendum 7 provides lodging operations with additional details on requirements, and state agencies will also be reaching out to these businesses directly.

“These are incredibly difficult times, but the more closely we can follow all of the CDC and Health Department guidance, the more effectively we can slow the spread and save lives,” said Governor Scott. “I know we’re asking a lot of business owners, workers, school employees, parents, students and all Vermonters. But your sacrifice is not for nothing. If we do this now, we can slow the spread of this deadly virus and keep many of our neighbors and loved ones alive and healthy.”

The Stay Home, Stay Safe order and today’s updated travel and lodging order are in effect until April 15, 2020, though may be extended or shortened as needed. For full details, please see Addendum 7 below, or click here.

For the latest information and guidance relating to Vermont’s COVID-19 response, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

May 28, 2020

New information is in red.

Find this update at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking  the “See the Latest Update” button.

Please visit and share the Vermont Department of Health’s new COVID-19 web pages, including the new data dashboard for an in-depth picture of COVID-19 activity in Vermont at healthvermont.gov/covid19. Visitors can access the dashboard by clicking on the map of Vermont.

Be Smart, Stay Safe
The state is closely monitoring case data and trends as Vermont reopens and the weather warms. If Vermonters continue to follow good hygiene practices, wear facial coverings, and keep up physical distancing — and the state continues its strong testing and contact tracing capabilities — the outlook is good to control the spread of the virus.

Safely Connect With Friends and Family
As more of Vermont reopens, many of us are taking small steps to seeing our friends and family again. Read our one-page guidance to help you weigh the risks to prevent new cases and serious illness from quickly increasing. As we make decisions, we can lower risks by: • Taking health and safety precautions • Staying closer to home • Keeping social circles small • Protecting those at higher risk.

Enjoy the Warm Weather Safely
Our bodies are still adjusting to warmer temperatures. Anyone who is active outside should start slowly, drink more fluids than usual, take extra breaks in the shade or cool places indoors. Check in on loved ones or neighbors who live alone virtually or by phone. If you need to stop by their home, remember to keep your distance and wear a facial covering.
Get more summer safety tips here:
• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, even on cloudy days. Protect yourself with a hat with a wide brim, sunglasses and long-sleeves and pants when you can.
• Always wear a life jacket for boating and water sports. Use extra caution if you get in the water — temperatures are still cold.
• Check yourself for ticks after you go outside! Use an EPA-registered insect repellent on skin and treat clothes with permethrin. Be Tick Smart!
• Keep away from wild animals like raccoons, skunks, bats, fox, and woodchucks that can carry rabies. Call the Rabies Hotline at 1-800-4-RABIES if you see an animal that you think needs help or is acting suspicious
. • Never leave children, people with disabilities, older adults, or pets in parked vehicles. Look Before You Lock! For more outdoors information, visit: fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-andcovid-19

Testing Information
More COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Sites Open for Asymptomatic Vermonters
The Health Department has opened nearly two dozen additional pop-up sites located throughout the state to test people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 for the virus. Specimen collection is happening with the assistance of trained Emergency Medical Service providers and members of the Vermont National Guard.
• Appointment slots are still available. Find locations and make an appointment to be tested at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups. You can also call 2-1-1 or 802-828- 2828. All clinics operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We especially encourage health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and people returning to Vermont – such as college students, people who winter out of state and second home owners – to consider being tested.
Vermonters With Even Mild Symptoms Should Call Their Doctor to Be Tested
People with even mild symptoms are encouraged to call their health care provider to get tested. This includes parents of children who have possible symptoms. Your health care provider will ensure you receive proper care and treatment. If you don’t have a health care provider: Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a community or hospital-connected clinic.

Take Steps to Prevent Water Quality Issues Before Your Business Reopens
Owners and managers of buildings that have been closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are urged to take steps that can prevent illnesses associated with stagnant water in plumbing systems. The Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation have set up a website where building and facility managers can access guidance and recommendations for actions to take before a building’s drinking water is used again: https://dec.vermont.gov/water/COVID19-Response-and-Resources
Read the May 21 press release.

Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on May 28, 2020

Total cases*                                      974
Currently hospitalized                           0
Hospitalized under investigation         17
Total people recovered                     855
Deaths+                                              55
People tested                               31,152
People being monitored                      44
People completed monitoring           879

*Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.
+Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.
Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information.

Find more information on new data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking on the map of Vermont.

Guidance for Vermonters

Who to contact:

• If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
• If you are having symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.
• Most information is online: Visit our regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions  or use the chat bot to ask your COVID-19 question.
• New question added: What is known about Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19?
• If you still have health-related COVID-19 questions, call the Health Department
at 802-863-7240.
• For non-health related questions, dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-652-4636.

Make Wearing a Mask a Habit
As Vermont gradually opens, wearing face coverings is more important than ever. Recent evidence indicates masks do seem to reduce respiratory droplet transmission, but compliance must be high for this strategy to work. Taking our mask with us when we go out is as important as is taking our car keys and wallets.
Even with a mask, we still need to keep 6 feet between ourselves and other people. Learn more about why and how we need to wear masks.

Keep a List of Your Close Contacts
Health officials suggest that Vermonters keep a journal of contacts – a list of other people with whom you have been in close contact with each day. If you get sick, this will make it
easier to get in touch with those people and so they can take precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19, including being tested if recommended.

Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health
Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak. If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:

• Call your local mental health crisis line
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
• Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line.
• For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.