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VDH: COVID-19, measles fall back

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VDH: COVID-19, measles fall back

Report Timeframe: February 12, 2026, to February 18, 2026. Current Vermont Department of Health recommendations on preventing COVID-19

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations have edged back to about 5 cases statewide. Other indicators through wastewater analysis show COVID-19, Norovirus and especially RSV in Vermont and nationally are active. There were no measles cases after one reported in Vermont the previous week in Washington County and the rate nationally is low. While there have been no measles virus detected last week, COVID virus, RSV and Norovirus were high at testing sites. See most recent test results below.

Neither the VDH nor the CDC are any longer reporting COVID fatalities or total cases in Vermont or in the US. 

The hospitalizations dataset contains day-level data reported from all Vermont hospitals each Tuesday. Reported numbers are subject to correction.

Laboratory-confirmed and diagnosed COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 outbreaks must still be reported to the Vermont Department of Health. 

There were 4 COVID outbreaks last week (4 the week before), with 3 in Long-Term Care Facilities and 0 in schools. Outbreaks increased slightly from mid-summer and have recently increased, especially in residential care facilities and one, unnamed correctional facility.

VDH: COVID-19, measles fall backVDH: COVID-19, measles fall backVDH: COVID-19, measles fall back

WasterwaterSCAN DATA

Below is the latest national and Vermont state-wide data from WastewaterSCAN. Our most recent data show that we have officially moved into the “high” category for COVID-19, Influenza A, RSV, and Norovirus, with all four pathogens in an upward trend. Since December, COVID concentrations are up 25%, flu A concentrations are up 86%, and RSV is up 134% nationally

 

This is the latest national and Vermont state-wide data from WastewaterSCAN. The most recent data show that we have moved into the “high” category for HMPV and Influenza B, with upward trends for both pathogens. Measles was detected in Montpelier wastewater on February 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 9th.  

 

A few updates:

  • Norovirus: National concentrations have increased by 20% since January and remain in the  “High” category.

    • Vermont sites remain in the “High” category.

  • RSV: National concentrations have increased by 35% since January and remain in the “High” category.

    • Vermont sites remain in the “Low” category.

  • COVID-19: National concentrations have increased by 5% since January and remain in the “High” category .

    • Vermont sites remain in the “High” category.

  • Influenza A: National concentrations are still in the “High” category, but decreasing. 

    • Vermont sites remain in the “High” category.

  • HMPV: National concentrations have moved into the “High” category in February.

    • Vermont sites are in the “High” and “Low” categories.

  • Influenza B: National concentrations have moved into the “High” category in February.

    • Vermont sites have moved into the “High” category.

 

Montpelier, VT
 
View chart details
Measles
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
SARS-CoV-2
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
RSV
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza A
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza B
high
Upward trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Human Metapneumovirus
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
EVD68
low
Pathogen is seasonal and not in onset
Norovirus
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Candidozyma auris
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Hepatitis A
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade Ib
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade II
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
West Nile Virus
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
H5 influenza marker
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Essex Junction, VT
 
View chart details
Measles
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
SARS-CoV-2
medium
No trend in the last 21 days and medium concentration
RSV
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza A
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza B
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Human Metapneumovirus
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
EVD68
low
Pathogen is seasonal and not in onset
Norovirus
high
Upward trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Candidozyma auris
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Hepatitis A
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade Ib
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade II
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
West Nile Virus
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
H5 influenza marker
not detected
0 out of 5 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
South Burlington, VT
 
View chart details
Measles
not detected
0 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
SARS-CoV-2
high
Downward trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
RSV
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza A
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Influenza B
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Human Metapneumovirus
low
Pathogen is seasonal and not in onset
EVD68
low
Pathogen is seasonal and not in onset
Norovirus
high
No trend in the last 21 days and high concentration
Candidozyma auris
not detected
0 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Hepatitis A
low
1 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade Ib
not detected
0 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
Mpox clade II
not detected
0 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
West Nile Virus
not detected
0 out of 4 samples in the 10 days prior to the last sample date were positive
H5 influenza marker
not detected

 

Wastewater Monitoring for Flu and COVID-19

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