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VDH: Three more COVID deaths for 287, 141 cases

Submitted by tim on

VDH graphic through September 9 of the increase in COVID-19 case counts since the Delta variant became prevalent in early summer.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Sunday is reporting 141 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths, which now stand at 287 statewide. There are 33 people hospitalized and 9 in the ICU. Hospitalizations have remained relatively high but steady the last few weeks.

According to the VDH, to date there have been 51 hospitalizations and 18 deaths among the 1,906 cases of vaccine breakthrough.

Governor Scott has announced a series of walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools and other sites across Vermont this week for anyone age 12 or older. See full list below.

Just walk-in or visit www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to make an appointment. You can also call 855-722-7878.

Human Services Secretary said that there are still many testing sites around the state, but urged people to make an appointment, preferably online, to avoid wait times.

The vaccination sites listed below also offer additional doses for those currently eligible based on guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some primary care providers and pharmacies are also offering additional doses. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Dr Levine expects more information from the CDC soon on those "third doses" for the general population soon.

Governor Scott and Dr Levine discuss Delta, vaccine effectiveness and pandemic divisiveness

Finance Commissioner Michael Pieciak said Wednesday that the Delta variant, which has caused the summer-time surge in COVID-19 cases, could be at its plateau. (See full modeling HERE)

Given evidence from places like Israel, Delta begins to wane at about nine weeks, which is where Vermont is now. The seven-day average suggests Vermont could soon see a drop in cases.

School Mask Recommendations

COVID-19 Prevention Strategies for the Opening of Schools

Stay Home When Sick

School health personnel should use the COVID-19 in Pediatric Patients Flow Chart (Pre-K – Grade 12) Triage, Evaluation, Testing, and Return to School in partnership with pediatric providers and families to guide medical decision-making.

Students and staff who are sick should stay home. This is the most important prevention message.

All students and staff should stay home if they:

• Show symptoms of COVID-19;

• Have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F); or

• Are currently in quarantine due to close contact with an individual with COVID-19 or in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19.

If symptoms begin while at school, the student or staff member should be sent home as soon as possible, and the individual should be isolated from other staff and students until they can go home.

Masks

To allow school districts time to calculate the percentage of currently eligible students who have received two doses of a two-dose vaccine, schools should require universal masking for all students and staff when indoors until October 4, 2021. Currently, all Vermonters ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

After October 4, 2021, masks should no longer be required for all those eligible for vaccination when the vaccination rate (two doses of a two-dose vaccine) among students is equal to or greater than 80% of the school’s currently eligible population.

Masks should be required indoors for students younger than 12, who are not eligible to be vaccinated at this time.

Masks, when required, may be removed when needed for instructional or operational purposes.

Masks are currently required for all passengers on buses per federal regulation, regardless of age or vaccination status.

Masks should not be required outdoors.

Guidance will be updated when vaccine eligibility expands.

Surveillance Testing and Contact Tracing

Surveillance testing will be offered to schools for both students and staff.

Schools should continue to participate in contact tracing as requested by the Health Department.

More information on what to do when there is a positive COVID-19 case in PreK-12 schools, childcare centers, camps and out of school programs and contact tracing can be found on the Vermont Department of Health website.

Vaccination Clinics

Human Services Secretary Mike Smith announced Wednesday a series of walk-in vaccination clinics that will be open at schools and other sites across Vermont this week for anyone age 12 or older.

You can just walk-in or visit www.healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to make an appointment. You can also call 855-722-7878.

Here are the upcoming walk-in vaccination sites:

Vaccination & COVID-19 Dashboards