By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The first Vermont patient with a confirmed case of COVID-19 has improved to stable at the Bennington hospital where he is being treated, officials said.
In a statement issued by the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Chief Nursing Officer Pamela Duchene called the patient’s condition an improvement.
The Bennington hospital is now treating three cases of COVID-19. The hospital is also offering drive-up testing for the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The hospital has been conducting about 20 tests a day, Duchene said.
The Burlington-based University of Vermont Medical Center has also set up a pop-up testing site at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction.
All pre-K-12 schools in Vermont must close no later than Tuesday. Also, bars and restaurants across the state must close by 2 p.m. Tuesday, although takeout and delivery are still available.
For most people, the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, results in only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death. The vast majority of people recover.
On Friday, Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency to help the state cope with the pandemic. Among the details, Scott granted a 90-day extension for extensions of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations.
The Associated Press receives support for health and science coverage from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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