For Immediate Release: October 16, 2020
Media Contact:
Ben Truman │ Vermont Department of Health
802-951-5153 / 802-863-7281
[email protected]
Health Department Investigates COVID-19 Cases among Central Vermont Recreational Teams
Pop-up testing site will be open in Barre on Saturday
BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among members of youth and adult recreational hockey and broomball teams in central Vermont. The outbreak is associated with people who practiced or played at the Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center in Montpelier earlier this month. Health officials said there has been no community spread of the virus beyond close contacts at this time.
To date, the Health Department has identified 18 confirmed cases among players and several close contacts. Most of the cases identified so far are among adults. The Health Department has informed schools if any cases were in attendance while they were infectious.
The department’s contact tracing team has been reaching out to anyone who may have been affected, and is providing appropriate guidance and recommendations for isolation, quarantine and testing. Vermonters are asked to please answer the phone if called by the department. This is how you will learn of any risk to your health – and is the most effective way to contain outbreaks from spreading in the community.
A pop-up test clinic will be held this Saturday, October 17, at the Barre Auditorium from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Testing is recommended for people with direct links to the teams, the Civic Center and their close contacts. Testing is not recommended for the wider Montpelier community in response to this situation. People can register for the pop-up clinic at healthvermont.gov/covid19-testing.
The investigation began last week as part of the department’s standard outreach following receipt of positive COVID-19 laboratory test results.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD expressed appreciation for the cooperation the department has received from the players, the leagues and officials at the Civic Center. Dr. Levine asked Vermonters to remember the core actions that help protect against exposure to the virus and to preventing its spread — wear a mask, keep a 6-foot distance from others, avoid crowded spaces, wash hands frequently and stay home when sick.
For more information about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing and prevention, visit healthvermont.gov/covid19.
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