VDH COVID-19 Update: Cases getting younger, third of adults have got vaccinated

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is reporting today 89 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for a total of 220 statewide. The median age of those infected with the novel coronavirus has fallen to 29. Now that older Vermonters have largely been vaccinated and more than a third of adults in the state have received at least one dose, Dr Levine is urging younger residents to stay with the health protocols and get their shot when the time comes in April. “We are still in a really delicate time, where the virus, and its variants, can and will take advantage of us if we let our guard down. It has the potential to set us back in our efforts, hampering us in the race," Dr Levine said.

COVID-19 Daily Update

March 23, 2021

New or updated information is in red and bold

This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19

Click the “See the Daily Update” button

Don’t let COVID-19 set us back as vaccination progresses, Dr. Levine urges

As warmer weather and sunshine arrives and vaccination progresses, it’s easy to feel hopeful and energized about life getting closer to normal, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said at Tuesday’s press conference.

“But though we know changes are coming to life as we have known it in the past year, they’re not here yet,” said Dr. Levine. “We are still in a really delicate time, where the virus, and its variants, can and will take advantage of us if we let our guard down. It has the potential to set us back in our efforts, hampering us in the race.”

We can still keep this virus at bay by wearing our masks, keeping our distance, and avoiding crowds, while we vaccinate as many Vermonters as we can as quickly as we can, Dr. Levine said. Keep gatherings small, try to avoid travel that’s not essential, and get tested.

Dr. Levine reminded Vermonters that the best vaccine you can get is the one you can get right now. Vermont has now vaccinated about one third of Vermonters age 16 and over.

“It’s OK to ask questions, to learn more about the vaccines that are available, but while this pandemic is still raging, there just isn’t time to wait. Get your shot – whichever one it is – when it’s available to you,” he said.

Vermonters age 60 and older can make a vaccine appointment starting Thursday

Starting Thursday, March 25 at 8:15 a.m. Vermonters age 60 and older will be able to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Register online at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine or by calling 855-722-7878.

Visit our website to create an account ahead of time, so it will be easier to log in when it’s time to make an appointment. You can also find videos and more information about what information you’ll need to make your appointment.

You can also find a timeline for when the next age groups will be eligible for vaccination. All Vermonters age 16 and older will be able to make an appointment by April 19.

If you have any symptoms, stay home and get tested for COVID-19

Interviews with people who have COVID-19 indicate that some assumed they had a cold or a sinus infection, instead of first thinking they might have COVID-19. The COVID-19 virus is still circulating in our communities, and the only way to know if you have it is to get tested.

Remember that symptoms can sometimes be mild, such as a headache, cough, fatigue or a runny nose. So, if you have even just one of these symptoms, it’s best to get tested. It’s also important to avoid going to work, school or other places until you receive a negative result. COVID-19 is a highly transmissible virus, and this is how we can each protect our loved ones and our communities.

If you have symptoms, talk to your health care provider. They can refer you for testing.

Testing is also important even if you don’t have symptoms, since you can still have COVID-19 and not feel sick. If you don’t have symptoms and want to get tested, there are many test sites now available around the state. It’s free and easy! Watch a video about what to expect.

COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on March 23, 2021

Data is updated daily.

Find more data on COVID-19 Activity at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.

COVID-19 Vaccine Data

As of 12 p.m. on March 23, 2021

Data is updated Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Find more vaccine data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19-vaccine-data.

Additional Resources About Vaccination and More

• Find answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.
• Get Vermont-specific information in our Frequently Asked Questions.
• Sign up for the COVID-19 Weekly Email Update.
• Find information sheets, posters and toolkits, as well as translated materials on our Resources web page.