RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – There is a new coronavirus outbreak in the Manchester-Londonderry area. At least 30 suspected positive tests were confirmed during Governor Phil Scott’s coronavirus press conference on Tuesday. Our Olivia Lyons has the reaction of city and community officials.
The Vermont Department of Health is investigating 30 cases of positive antigens at Manchester Medical Center.
Kevin Beattie, the director of emergency management for Londonderry, tells me that this means that people in the city need to take more precautions to prevent further spread.
“We know that there have been a total number of cases that have been tested at Manchester Medical Center and we know that there was a considerable number tested by Londonderry, but we don’t know much more than that at the moment,” Beattie said.
More than 30 of those screened at Manchester Medical Center tested positive for COVID through an antigen test. That is a rapid result test not recognized by the state health department. They are awaiting the results of diagnostic tests before quantifying the size of the outbreak in the region.
On Tuesday afternoon, there was a steady stream of people going to be tested.
The Bowen family in East Dorset had a scheduled test appointment after Louis spent time with his friend from South Londonderry, who is now positive for the coronavirus.
“We thought maybe we would let the kids see each other and I recommend that people don’t think that way. I’m sorry,” said Jennifer Bowen.
One person I spoke to in town says he saw the Londonderry market parking lot filled with cars from other states over the weekend of July 4.
“I’m not happy because I personally think things opened up too soon,” said Debbie Smith of South Londonderry.
At this time, the exact source or place from which people contracted the virus is unknown. But Beattie tells me that the city knows that there are 18 positive people in Londonderry.
“We saw a lot of people come in, especially around July 4. We saw a lot of people letting their guard down and not taking precautions as I think it should be, so I think we are starting to see some results of that,” he said.
The state will have an emerging test clinic in Londonderry on Wednesday. Beattie says the test spaces were filled about four hours after the record was made public. And people who couldn’t sign up have expressed a desire to get tested. Beattie is still unsure if the area will have a second clinic.
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center will open its pop-up testing site on the Northshire campus in Manchester. The test drives will be held from 9 am to 3 pm on Wednesday and will remain open as needed.
Copyright 2020 WCAX. All rights reserved.
