Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today 197 new cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths for a total of 162. The post-Christmas holiday has proven to be a more infectious period, like post-Halloween, than post-Thanksgiving was. Also, more than 28,000 people have now received the COVID-19 vaccine in Vermont, including 4,092 of whom have received both doses. Vermont plans to use age groupings to determine who can receive the vaccine next based on our primary goal with vaccination efforts – to save lives. Planning is still ongoing, but we expect the first age grouping eligible will be people 75 and older, then 70 and older, then 65 and older, as vaccine supply allows.
Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
January 14, 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
Get COVID-19 vaccine data and information
More than 28,000 people have now received the COVID-19 vaccine in Vermont, including 4,092 of whom have received both doses. Get more data about vaccinations by race, ethnicity, age and sex on our Vaccine Dashboard.
Stay up to date about COVID-19 vaccination in Vermont, including who can get the vaccine now and who will be eligible next. Check back often, we update this page regularly.
People in Phase 1A are eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine now. That includes:
- Health care personnel (health care personnel comprise clinical staff members, including nursing or medical assistants and support staff (e.g., those who work in food, environmental, and administrative services))
- Residents of long-term care facilities (skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities) Vaccination may be offered first to residents and health care personnel in skilled nursing facilities because of health care personnel's high likelihood to be exposed to COVID-19 patients and long-term care residents. (health care personnel are clinical staff members, including nursing or medical assistants) Learn more about vaccines for long-term care facility residents and staff.
The Vermont Vaccine Implementation Advisory Committee has specified that "health care personnel" includes:
- Long-term care staff* who have direct patient contact
- Health care providers (all classes including students and support personnel), primarily but not exclusively located in the Emergency Departments and Intensive Care Units, providing care to patients with COVID-19
- Emergency Medical Services personnel** with direct patient contact
- Home health care clinical staff and caregivers who have contact with multiple patients or who are high-risk for serious illness from COVID-19
- Any other health care providers and staff who have patient contact
*Staff includes all health care providers who enter the facility, regardless of who employs them, as well as ancillary staff. Family caregivers are not included in this definition.
**Emergency medical service personnel and responders include staff within ambulance or rescue squads, fire or police departments, who respond to emergency calls to provide or assist with care or transport for, or access to, sick or injured persons.
NEW: Who will be eligible next?
Age Groupings
Vermont plans to use age groupings to determine who can receive the vaccine next based on our primary goal with vaccination efforts – to save lives. Planning is still ongoing, but we expect the first age grouping eligible will be people 75 and older, then 70 and older, then 65 and older, as vaccine supply allows.
Based on what we know now about how much vaccine Vermont will get from the federal government, it will probably take until spring to finish these groups. This is an estimated plan and timeframe that could shift based on how much vaccine Vermont receives and how many people choose to get vaccinated when they are eligible.
High-risk Health Conditions
Vaccine will also be available to people who have certain high-risk health conditions. Those conditions are being identified now and will be shared as soon as possible.
How Decisions Are Made
The Health Department works with State leadership to make these difficult choices after considering recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (link is external), CDC, and Vermont’s Vaccine Implementation Advisory Committee. Based on our data, we know that focusing next on providing vaccine to people based on their age and whether they have certain high-risk health conditions will help us save lives.
The Health Department is not keeping a list of eligible people. When there is enough vaccine available, we will announce when Vermonters can register for appointments and who is eligible. In addition to Health Department communications, we will work with partners such as health care practices, pharmacies, employers, and local news media to announce additional groups who become eligible for the vaccine.
And Keep the Virus at Bay
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.
You can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by getting tested. If you want to get tested for COVID-19 and have no symptoms, you can visit a location near you. There are now 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.
Register for a test by visiting healthvermont.gov/covid19testing. (You will need to create an account to register.)
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.
Have You Gotten the COVID-19 Vaccine? Share Your News With Others!
Encouraging others to get the COVID-19 vaccine means moving towards a healthier Vermont. If you’re planning to get the shot, share your vaccine photo on social media captioned with your reason why. Be sure to include the hashtag #OurShotVT.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on January 14, 2021
|
Description |
Number |
||
|
New cases* |
197 (9,573 total) |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
44 |
||
|
Hospitalized in ICU |
8 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
1 |
||
|
Percent Positive (7-day average) |
2.9% |
||
|
People tested |
282,517 |
||
|
Total tests |
779,178 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
6,403 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
162 |
||
|
Travelers monitored |
173 |
||
|
Contacts monitored |
189 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
12,238 |
* Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.
+ Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.
Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information.
Find more data at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.
Guidance for Vermonters and Businesses
Health information, guidance and data: healthvermont.gov/covid19
Sector guidance: accd.vermont.gov/covid-19
Modeling: dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling
Governor’s actions: governor.vermont.gov/covid19response
Get the information you need at our Frequently Asked Questions.
School & Child Care Guidance
- Strong and Healthy Start: Safety and Health Guidance for Vermont Schools
- Mental Health: A Strong and Healthy Start: Social, Emotional and Mental Health Supports During COVID-19
- Child care: Health Guidance for Child Care and Out of School Care
More resources on the Your Community web page.
Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:
Call your local mental health crisis line.
Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line.
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.
Visit our Coping With Stress web page.
Get connected to Alcohol and Drug Support Services at VT Helplink.
Get self-help tips and connect to mental health services at COVID Support VT.