Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
December 15, 2020
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
COVID-19 Vaccination in Vermont Begins
An Emergency Department nurse at the University of Vermont Medical Center on Tuesday became the first Vermonter to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and the state received its second shipment of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, officials said.
SEE STORIES:
UVMMC administers COVID-19 vaccine to first Vermonters
First shipments of COVID-19 vaccine arrive in Vermont
“We now have a safe and effective vaccine — developed in an unprecedented amount of time — and it’s here, in Vermont,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “This is a truly pivotal moment in the pandemic — one that should give us hope for the future. But at the same time, we must remember this is just the start of a long process to receive and administer enough vaccine to bring COVID-19 under control.”
The Health Department has been allocated weekly shipments of 5,850 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine through December. We also expect to receive an equal number of the second dose in the coming weeks, Dr. Levine said.
The state has also placed a pre-order for the Moderna vaccine, pending its approval by the FDA. Should it receive authorization, Vermont could potentially see 11,400 doses next week and 5,000 doses at the end of the month. This would bring the total amount of vaccine in the state to almost 34,000 doses, he said.
The Health Department, along with the State Emergency Operations Center, is in the process of distributing vaccine to hospitals throughout the state. This will be done in coordination with the hospitals’ clinic schedule and the 120-hour window to use the vaccine.
“What’s important to know now is that, while supply is limited, vaccines will go to certain priority groups — the first being high-risk health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities,” Dr. Levine said. “They will be notified directly about when and where they can get vaccinated.”
We anticipate finalizing the next priority group in the coming weeks following recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and our own Vermont Advisory Group, Dr. Levine said. Both of these groups will be advising best practices when identifying these groups, and how they will know when their turn has arrived. They will almost certainly involve some combination of people over 65, people under 65 with chronic or immune compromising conditions, and frontline workers, he said.
“For most Vermonters, it will likely be several months before the vaccine is widely available. But when it is available to you, you will know, through our own communications and through our partners — the health care providers, pharmacies, and others who will provide the vaccine across the state,” Dr. Levine said.
In the meantime, we must keep up our prevention practices, including physical distancing, mask-wearing and handwashing, in addition to limiting travel and avoiding gatherings, he added.
Vermont recorded its 100th death from COVID-19 yesterday just as the United States surpassed 300,000. For Vermont, the per capita death toll is actually higher than the US as a whole. The last two weeks have been the worst in Vermont since the beginning of the pandemic.
Governor Scott also extended the State of Emergency another month to January 15, 2020, which was expected.
Regularly updated information about the vaccine is at healthvermont.gov/covid-19/vaccine
Find Opportunities to Support the COVID-19 Response
Vermonters can now step up and help with the COVID-19 response in long-term care facilities and other areas. Clinicians with additional capacity are especially needed – in either paid or volunteer roles. But anyone — including part-time workers, retirees, unemployed individuals, college students — can help fill short-term gaps in the system caused by COVID-19 outbreaks. Visit www.vermont.gov/covid-staffing for more information.
Stay Informed with VT-ALERT
Stay up to date on the latest COVID guidance and information by registering for Vermont Alert (VT-ALERT), the State’s emergency notification system. Visit www.vtalert.gov and select the alerts they would like to receive (COVID information is listed under “Health Alerts”). Current subscribers can also update their notifications. Notifications are available via email, text, phone and the Everbridge mobile app.
New at healthvermont.gov
Nearly 60% of Vermonters with COVID-19 have a pre-existing health condition or are at least 60 years old. These two populations are at the highest risk for serious COVID-19-related outcomes. Learn more in the latest Weekly Data Summary Spotlight.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on December 15, 2020
|
Description |
Number |
||
|
New cases* |
66 (5,923 total) |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
20 |
||
|
Hospitalized in ICU |
4 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
0 |
||
|
Percent Positive (7-day average) |
2.1% |
||
|
People tested |
245,457 |
||
|
Total tests |
625,217 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
3,680 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
100 |
||
|
Travelers monitored |
206 |
||
|
Contacts monitored |
194 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
11,381 |
* 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.
Food resources
If your financial situation has recently changed, you may now qualify for Vermont nutrition and food programs, including WIC program (Women, Infants and Children), 3SquaresVT/SNAP, and more. Newer programs such as Farmers to Families and Everyone Eats are helping to fill the gaps. Contact the Health Department, Hunger Free Vermont, or call 2-1-1 for more information.