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VAHHS is Vermont’s association of non-profit hospitals and health systems and we work to ensure our health care system is strong and stable and ready to respond to anything – including a global pandemic. The holidays are upon us and, unfortunately, so is a new wave of COVID-19 cases in Vermont. It’s very important for Vermonters to be vigilant about stopping the spread. For most of us, that means we’ll have to reimagine our holiday celebrations.
Governor Phil Scott is committed to following the data and science as we respond and work to flatten the curve. The State has prohibited gatherings that include more than one household, whether or not they occur outdoors. While this new restriction may seem daunting—especially with the holidays right around the corner—it is imperative to follow it in order to avoid further COVID escalation in Vermont.
Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health said the rising number of cases is made up of outbreaks stemming from close family and friends socializing, many times around food and alcohol, where social distancing and mask-wearing break down.
“Asking Vermonters to give up spending time with friends and family outside of their own household is not easy,” Dr. Levine said. “But based on what we’ve seen driving transmission, it is necessary. I know we can change our behaviors in time to make a difference.”
Not only have the number of cases ballooned in recent days; the number of Vermonters hospitalized with the virus has crept up as well. This is of particular concern, as states around the country are seeing their health care facilities at or above capacity because of the number of seriously ill COVID patients.
“We don’t want that for Vermont, so it’s time to act once again to slow the spread,” stressed Jeff Tieman, president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. “The growth in cases we’re seeing right now has already spurred hospitals and the State of Vermont to plan again for a surge of patients. Hospitals are concerned about the real possibility that our system and staff become overwhelmed by drastic, but preventable, infection growth.”
Quoting guidance from the Vermont Department of Health, Tieman urged Vermonters to heed the Governor’s order to refrain from socializing with anyone not in their households, including outdoor gatherings. He also advised canceling plans to travel or to host out-of-state individuals during the holidays. Of course, it’s also important to social distance when in contact with others and wear a mask.
“If you travel, you should adhere to the quarantine guidelines when you return—14 days or seven days with a negative COVID-19 test afterward,” he explained. “If you do host out-of-staters—which in itself goes against the governor’s order—they must quarantine when they get here, which doesn’t just mean not going to the store or restaurants. It means using a separate bathroom, wearing a mask when in contact with your family and not eating in the same room with you—not optimal for holiday times,” he added. He also urged Vermonters to respond to and cooperate fully with contract tracers from the Department of Health when they call.
“I believe in Vermonters’ ability to turn around this upward trend in case numbers,” Tieman stated. “We did it before and we can do it again. It just takes prioritizing our health and the health of our neighbors over in-person celebrations and social events. If we work together now, we’ll emerge sooner and stronger as a state.”
To learn more about how you can slow the spread and still enjoy the holidays fully – even if celebrations look a bit different, visit VAHHS.org/safe-holidays.