VDH: COVID surges to another record to 1,352 cases

The VDH COVID dashboard will not be updated Friday - Sunday (Dec. 31 - Jan. 2) due to the holiday. On Monday, Jan. 3, case counts for each day from Friday - Sunday will be reported.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health on Thursday reported a record 1,352 COVID-19 cases, the day after cases spiked to a then record of 940. The previous record was 739 cases set on December 9. The state expected a surge in cases for the holidays, driven by the new Omicron variant.

The VDH said in a statement Wednesday that, "There are likely multiple factors at play and unfortunately these high case numbers are not unexpected. We are likely seeing the impact of holiday gatherings as we did in the days after Thanksgiving. In addition, Delta, a highly transmissible variant, is still circulating. Add to that the even more contagious Omicron getting a foothold in the state, along with many Vermonters following our recommendations for testing, and the numbers will go up.

"With all that, it’s important to know we are focusing on data of serious outcomes."

Health Commissioner Dr Mark Levine said at the press briefing Tuesday:

“I suggest we not focus too much on those figures.

“Case number data are important. But what I, and every person on this stage, will be watching closely are the data and metrics of serious outcomes among people – specifically, hospitalizations and deaths.

“Here’s why. Even if you get sick from COVID, If you are fully protected – meaning you have your full primary vaccination and have your booster shot – you will generally have mild cold-like symptoms, or at worst, flu symptoms, and the illness is short-lived. Like having the flu, it’s not fun – being sick never is, but full protection means you should escape the worst of it. And reports from around the country and in Vermont are bearing this out.

“The data on serious outcomes, however, are key indicators of the worst impacts of the coronavirus. These are the figures that inform us of where we are in the pandemic; and as they have for almost 2 years now, drive our actions for protecting Vermonters from these terrible outcomes, and preserving the capacity of our health care system so each of us can get any needed care – whether we have COVID or another health need.”

The VDH also reported on Thursday three additional deaths for 471 statewide.

There were 49 COVID-19 related fatalities in Vermont in September 2021, and 47 deaths in October, which were the second- and the third-worst months on record (December 2020, 71). There were 40 fatalities in November and 53 so far in December.

Vermont is slightly behind the fatality pace set last December, but has now surpassed last September for the second worst month for COVID-19 deaths.

Hospitalizations today were 56 (up two) after breaking its one-day record December 8 with 92 statewide. ICU stays, which also had been elevated, were 19 (up one). The one-day record there was set December 7 (31). Hospitalizations and ICU visits have not surged even as cases have spiked the last couple of weeks.

Cases are high in the northwestern and southern Vermont counties.

Vermont has been late to see a surge from Omicron that has already hit New England the rest of the US.

Cases over the Christmas break were low and the positivity rate was relatively high as testing was low. Case counts were also relatively low over the holiday. With case counts now elevated, the positivity rate has increased to 7.3 percent.

The VDH did not report case counts for the Christmas weekend until Monday. On Tuesday, VDH reported 416 cases. On Monday VDH reported 239 cases, on Sunday, the VDH reported 239 cases, on Saturday, Christmas Day, there were 244, with 304 cases on December 24, and 641 last Thursday.

On December 22, the VDH began presenting the relative death, hospitalization and case counts between fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated Vermonters, in order to emphasize the benefits of getting vaccinated and boosted (fully vaccinated includes having received a booster shot for those who are eligible.)

The VDH reported Vermont's first case of the Omicron variant December 17, though they say it probably first showed up in Vermont in early December.

FEMA has sent first responders to assist the UVM Medical Center in Burlington and Southwestern Medical Center in Bennington. They are expected to be here for two weeks, depending on conditions.

VDH reported Saturday that the Omicron coronavirus variant has been found in a person from Lamoille County, following Friday's announcement that a sample of Burlington wastewater also found evidence of Omicron. Health officials said it was only a matter of time before the fast-moving, but perhaps less dangerous mutation arrived in Vermont. Every surrounding state and Quebec previously confirmed Omicron COVID-19 cases.

Governor Scott at his usual Tuesday press briefing urged all businesses to follow the state's own strict COVID guidance, but requiring employees to either be fully vaccinated and boosted or wear a mask at all times and get a weekly test.

He's urging businesses require the same of customers, but once again he stopped short of issuing a mandate.

Several municipalities in Vermont separately are requiring masking and many businesses are requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative test.

Genetic sequencing identified the new Omicron variant in a specimen collected on December 8, 2021. The individual is a Lamoille County resident in their 30’s. The individual was fully vaccinated and had been experiencing mild symptoms. The Health Department has partnered with the Broad Institute to perform genetic sequencing of samples collected from lab-confirmed COVID-positive cases.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said Saturday that the detection of the Omicron variant in Vermont is not unexpected, and that we will see more cases identified in the coming days.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before we saw Omicron in our state, and made sequencing a priority,” said Dr. Levine. “Vermont is a national leader in the proportion of positive tests on which we perform genomic sequencing. This is key to our ability to quickly identify and respond to cases.”

Global research is finding that the Omicron variant spreads faster and more efficiently than Delta, which is responsible for the current surge in cases and hospitalizations in Vermont and elsewhere. The new SARS-CoV-2 variant, formally called B.1.1.529, has already been found in more than 40 U.S. states and territories.

Dr. Levine said that the speed at which Omicron is likely to become the dominant strain means it is even more important for people to act quickly to be vaccinated and get their booster shots. “As the effectiveness of the initial vaccines begin to wane, boosters provide the protection you need against bad outcomes, including serious illness, hospitalizations and death, especially for people whose age or health conditions make them vulnerable.”

Scientists are continuing to study how Omicron compares to the already highly transmissible Delta variant, including what impact the new variant may have on the severity of illness and the effectiveness of current vaccines. The CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

“I can’t emphasize this enough: All Vermonters need to be as protected as possible, as soon as possible. So get vaccinated, get children age 5 and older vaccinated, and if you are due to get your booster shot, get it as soon as you can,” said Dr. Levine. “Vaccines are our best line of defense against this virus, and our ability to slow Omicron’s spread and to reduce the chances of new variants from emerging depends on our being fully protected.”

In addition to being vaccinated and boosted, Vermonters should continue taking these common-sense precautions to protect against the spread of the virus in our communities, now and during the holidays,

• Stay home if you feel sick.
• Get tested if you have any symptoms – even if mild, or if you may be a close contact, or have taken part in activities that could put you at risk, such as large gatherings or travel.
• Wear a mask at indoor public settings and around anyone at higher risk of COVID-19.
• Gather with others safely, which means small group sizes and testing before holiday celebrations.

For more information:

• Vaccination and booster locations: healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine
• Protecting yourself: healthvermont.gov/preventCOVID19
• Testing for Covid-19: healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing

Learn more about the Omicron variant from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/omicron-variant.html

Recent fatalities had all been among Vermonters 50 and older until two weeks ago when there were two deaths in the 40-49 age band and now one in the 30-39 age band. These were the first fatalities for anyone under 50 in more than a month. The oldest age band has had the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, despite having by far the fewest number of total cases.

The rate of fatalities by month has slowed even as cases have increased, as nearly all of the most vulnerable Vermonters have been fully vaccinated. (The number of fatalities is sometimes adjusted by the VDH as information is updated).

Vermont has the lowest COVID fatality rate in the nation (71 per 100,000 residents). Hawaii (75) is second lowest. Mississippi (348) and Alabama (333) have the highest fatality rates. SEE FULL LIST BELOW.

Cases have been especially elevated in southern Vermont, with Bennington County now supplanting Orleans with the most cases per capita, with Essex County third and Rutland County fourth.

See Case and Vaccine Dashboards Below

This map includes Health Department, pharmacy and other testing sites.

See this map displayed full-screen.

HERE TO GET TESTED

Where to Get Tested

ANTIGEN TESTS AVAILABLE SOON

Vaccination & COVID-19 Dashboards

Statista