Rochester Community Bulletin Board

1 day ago

From the Vermont Department of Health:

Robust Contact Tracing Key to Limiting Virus Spread
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said at a press conference Tuesday that the outbreaks and clusters we are monitoring are not expanding significantly. While that does not mean they are over, he said, it is a sign that our efforts to trace contacts of positive cases is working.

In Vermont, 97% of positive cases are interviewed by contact tracers within 48 hours of their test result.

“Timely interviews have been critical in interrupting disease transmission,” Dr. Levine said.

Dr. Levine added that in some places in the U.S. where coronavirus cases are currently surging, contact tracing is no longer a viable strategy, and those states are returning to mitigation strategies ─ such as asking people to stay home.

“The nation as a whole needs to learn from this experience right now,” Dr. Levine said.

Dr. Levine also addressed recent news that a group of 239 scientists in 32 countries wrote an open letter to the World Health Organization outlining evidence that smaller particles of the coronavirus in the air indoors can infect people.

While larger respiratory droplets fall to the floor mainly, these lighter, finer droplets — that are exhaled by all of us just from coughing or talking — can probably stay aloft for several hours, especially when there’s poor ventilation or overcrowding. Infections can occur if you have prolonged indoor contact with those aerosols.

“The message from all of this is we should continue to wash our hands a lot, but you’ll do a lot better if you also wear a facial covering,” Dr. Levine said.
Stay cool in the heat, and safe in the water
As the weather heats up, stay cool and hydrated, and listen to your body to prevent heat-related illness.

NEVER leave children, people with disabilities or pets inside a parked vehicle when it's hot.

And check on older adults and people with chronic medical conditions or disabilities, who are generally at higher risk during hot weather, especially if they live alone or don’t have air conditioning.

Learn more about how to stay safe when it’s hot out.

Swimming and water activities are a great way to get outside, cool off and keep a distance from others. But we urge Vermonters do so safely.

Vermont’s popular swim holes, rivers and streams offer some of summer’s best recreational opportunities. However, these areas can become unpredictable, dangerous and sometimes deadly in the days following storms and flash flooding.

Play it safe:

• Be aware of the local weather patterns – summer storms can come on suddenly.
• Always wear a life jacket while on a boat or kayak.
• Don’t use alcohol while swimming or boating.
• Swim with a buddy or in a group.
• Know your limits: Even the strongest, most expert swimmer can get tired, be swept away or caught underwater by strong currents.
• Designate an adult to be a “water watcher” so there is always someone to supervise children and teens.
• When watching children, put down your cell phone and other distractions.
• Avoid natural swim holes that can continue to exhibit high flow and dangerous currents following heavy rains and flash flooding.
• Know that a person who is drowning likely won’t be able to splash or call for help — drowning is quick and silent. ... See MoreSee Less

Rochester Community Bulletin Board

1 day ago

From the Vermont Department of Health today:

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Thursday and Friday (July 9-10) for the Champlain Valley, where high temperatures are forecast to reach the low 90s and high humidity will cause the heat index to approach 100°F. Nighttime lows are forecast to be around 70°F, making it challenging for people without access to air conditioning to find relief. The heat index is forecast to approach 95°F in much of the rest of Vermont.

Vermont data indicates that emergency department visits for heat-related illnesses begin to increase when temperatures reach the mid- to upper-80s, with impacts getting progressively worse as temperatures rise into the 90s. During the 6-day heat wave in 2018, there were at least 4 heat-related deaths and 15 times more heat-related EMS calls and emergency department visits than typical for summer.

Populations most affected

Individuals who are generally at higher risk for heat-related health impacts include: older adults, young children, people who are experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers and hobbyists, pregnant people, people who are overweight, those with chronic medical conditions, disabilities or mental illness, people using recreational drugs or alcohol, and those using certain prescription medications. Risk is further elevated for those who live alone or do not have air conditioning. Dehydration and hot living conditions are the major concerns for these populations.

In your community, please consider the following:

Use social media to raise awareness – examples are provided in our Hot Weather Media Toolkit.
Be familiar with symptoms of heat illnesses and first aid responses.

Offer safe & fun ways to stay cool, such as free or extended access to beaches and pools, providing hoses or misters, and offering free cold beverages. Encourage community members to wear a cloth face mask or covering and keep at least a 6-foot distance from other groups.

Consider opening a cooling center, which could be any air-conditioned, publicly accessible location (for example, a library or community center). Review guidance on operating cooling centers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including screening of guests and staff, physical distancing strategies, provision of facemasks and hygiene supplies, and facility cleaning.

If someone is wearing with a cloth face mask or covering and is having trouble breathing because it is hot, they should take it off, drink water, rest and seek shade or a cool place. It is important that they keep a 6-foot distance from others whenever possible, especially when they are not wearing a mask. People who have trouble breathing can wear a light-weight bandanna or cloth covering tied to be open at the bottom as an option.

Mobilize local care networks to check in on people at high risk for heat illnesses. If going in person, wear a cloth face mask or covering, keep a 6-foot distance, and wash your hands before and after your visit.

For outdoor work, recreational activities, or other local events, ensure that organizers are prepared with water, cooling strategies, and event modification or cancellation plans.

Hot weather can affect anyone – be aware of your own symptoms and look out for others. ... See MoreSee Less