by Jeff Tieman, VAHHS CEO The last couple weeks have shown how the COVID-19 fight continues and evolves. On the concerning side: Vermont has recently experienced more patients hospitalized with COVID than at any time in the pandemic. New virus variants around the world—already finding their way to the U.S.—can make COVID even more contagious and dangerous.
On the positive side: Vermont’s vaccine rollout continues moving forward effectively and is protecting more people every day. Even with the federal supply still so blurry and unpredictable, nearly 11 percent of state residents have received their first dose of a vaccine. That keeps Vermont near the top of the list when it comes to administering vaccine.
The main reason for this progress, and for Vermont’s success throughout the pandemic, is collaboration. It may sound cliché or convenient to talk about people working together during tough times. But it is no exaggeration here. Health care leaders and providers are doing well in the effort to defeat COVID because they are doing it together.
Just a few examples of amazing collaboration from recent days and weeks:
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Rep. Peter Welch paid a virtual visit to Vermont’s hospital lab directors, who have been convening for months to share ideas, information and sometimes even supplies and equipment. Our good friend Peter thanked the lab leaders for their commitment, saying that their critical, behind-the-scenes work has fueled the pandemic response.
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State health and emergency management officials coordinated with leaders at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, as well several regional hospitals in Vermont and two other states, to help move patients as SVMC experienced a COVID surge.
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Hospitals are stepping up to continue vaccinating the general public, working closely and creatively with the state of Vermont, one another and area health care providers to safely and quickly inoculate as many people as the supply will allow.
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The state’s network of non-profit home health and hospice agencies has partnered with emergency medical services (EMS) teams to begin home vaccinations this week for Vermonters 75 and older who are homebound and unable to go in person to the state’s vaccination clinics. Taking doses out into our communities is a complex undertaking, but together, they will reach even the most rural and remote corners of Vermont.
Vermont stands out for so many reasons; among them its spirit of genuine collaboration. I see it every day at the hospital association as our state and health care leaders grapple with the toughest issues imaginable, but keep their cool and work constantly to maintain a collective, rather than splintered, response.
To accelerate the march toward a post-COVID Vermont, we have to stay together. And, of course, we have to honor the time-tested phrase: six-foot spaces, masks on faces, uncrowded places. It has worked so far.