VDH COVID-19 Update: Cases trending at highest levels ever

Submitted by tim on Tue, 01/12/2021 - 11:48

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 176 new cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths for a statewide total of 158. National and regional infection rates remain at their highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic and Vermont's weekly total is also at its highest level. Still Vermont ranks in the top three of states in nearly every metric and has the total fewest deaths and fewest cases. The mortality rate in Vermont has also subsided somewhat from the late fall/early winter surge.

Vermont also ranks among the highest in vaccinations, even though the national rollout has been slower than expected here and nearly everywhere. Close to 25,000 Vermonters have been vaccinated.

At his Tuesday press briefing, Governor Scott said that guidance for the second phase of vaccinations will be coming on Friday. This "age band" will include anyone over 75 and some serious health conditions. The administration has faced recent scrutiny over who received the 1A dose of vaccine. Scott reiterated that the state will target those who data show are most at risk of dying from the virus. COVID is now the leading killer in the United States.

Of the 158 COVID-related deaths in Vermont, 90 have been of those over 80 and 8 have been of those under 60.

"They took care of us," the governor said in reference to older Vermonters, "and we have a moral obligation to take care of them."

There also has been a post-Christmas surge of cases in Vermont and health officials are waiting for the post-New Years Eve numbers to fully come in, but at this point they do not seem as bad. The positivity rate has also fallen.

They continue to urge those who have traveled, had out-of-state gets or otherwise gathered beyond the guidelines (no gathering outside your own household), to get tested.

There have been more cases in the last five days in Vermont than there were in total from May to September.

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

January 12, 2021

New or updated information is in red and bold

This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19

Click the “See the Latest Update” button

Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s COVID-19 web and data pages
healthvermont.gov/covid19

As more Vermonters are vaccinated, don’t let up on COVID-19 prevention

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said at Tuesday’s press conference that teams are hard at work planning for the next phases of vaccination, as the next rounds expand by age grouping and high-risk conditions.

“We plan to have more details to share later this week on these and how Vermonters can register for appointments when they are eligible,” Dr. Levine said.

Governor Phil Scott reiterated the focus of these plans is to protect older Vermonters who are most at risk.

“As the data and science show, the older you are, the more vulnerable you are to severe risks and death from COVID,” Gov. Scott said. “Saving lives must be our priority.”

Dr. Levine added that following health guidance is even more essential as we keep an eye on developments around the more transmissible variant of the virus that has now been found in 10 states, including Connecticut and New York.

“We need to keep taking all the same steps to protect ourselves from the virus and keep it from spreading as we wait for the vaccine to become available to more and more Vermonters,” Dr. Levine said.

Remember: Masks on faces, 6-foot spaces, and uncrowded places. Avoid travel and getting together with anyone you don’t live with. And always monitor yourself for symptoms.

“Literally, take a moment and think how you are feeling,” Dr. Levine said. “And be sure to get tested after any gathering or possible exposure to someone with COVID-19.”

COVID-19 Vaccine in Vermont

About 24,800 people have now been vaccinated in Vermont, including 1,781 who have received both doses.

Learn more on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard.

Get the latest information on COVID-19 vaccination in Vermont, including who can get the vaccine now and who will be eligible next. Check back often as we update this page regularly with new information.

While we wait for vaccine to become more widely available to Vermonters, we must keep up our prevention practices, including physical distancing, mask-wearing, handwashing and staying home when we’re sick. This is still the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19.

New on healthvermont.gov

Learn more about how Health Department data analysts create the map of town level data in the latest Weekly Data Summary Spotlight.

If you gathered with others, get tested

If you gathered with anyone you don’t live with or had a potential exposure to someone with COVID-19, we recommend getting tested. This is how you can help keep the virus from spreading.

Vermonters without COVID symptoms can now get tested at more than 15 regular locations throughout the state, and more of them are now open daily. Many sites now allow you to take a sample yourself, using a short swab in your nose. It’s quick, easy and free.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your health care provider so they can refer you for testing. If you don’t have a provider, you can call 2-1-1.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on January 12, 2021

Description		Number
New cases*		167 (9,247 total)
Currently hospitalized		51
Hospitalized in ICU		10
Hospitalized under investigation		5
Percent Positive (7-day average)		2.7%
People tested		280,173
Total tests		767,325
Total people recovered		6,226
Deaths+		158
Travelers monitored		245
Contacts monitored		218
People completed monitoring		12,114