Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Department of Healthis reporting today that COVID-19 cases surged again to 376 cases, the third highest on record. This was an increase of 114 from Saturday.Cases Friday were377 and there were 487 cases on Thursday, which was the all-time record. The 12worst days have all come since mid-September, following fromthe Delta variant surge that began in July. There were no additional COVID-related death, which stand at384 statewide.

Based on record high cases this past week, Governor Phil Scott issued a statement Thursday afternoon urging Vermonters to get vaccinated. He said in part, "The simple fact is, this pandemic is being driven by the unvaccinated, including 53,000 eligible adults. The three lowest vaccinated counties account for 25% of todays cases, yet they only make up 10% of our state population. Unvaccinated Vermonters are up to 5 times as likely to contract COVID in Vermont and they account for 70-85% of our hospitalizations and ICU stays. Unvaccinated adults are directly contributing to the strain on our hospital capacity. Enough is enough, its time to step up and get vaccinated something over 90% of your fellow Vermont adults have done."

Cases have been especially high in the Northeast Kingdom, which has had elevated case rates in recent weeks. Chittenden County had the most cases with 83 and Washington County had51.

Meanwhile, the CDC gave final approval late Tuesday for Pfizer vaccines for children 5-11 and parents could start signing up their kids starting Wednesday morning (for vaccine information or to registerCLICK HERE). Shots for 5-11 are available starting Friday at some state clinics and as early as Sunday at some pharmacies.

There are about 44,000 kids in the 5-11 age band in Vermont. Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said there will be plenty of first and second doses available for all who sign up. The doses are a third of the strength of the adult dose and like the adult Pfizer regimen will require a followup shot for full immunity.

See locations of vaccine clinics and case dashboards below.

There are 45 people hospitalized (up thrtee) with 12in the ICU (downtwo).Hospitalizations are high but have been stable.

Recent fatalities have all been amongVermonters 50 and older, with most in the oldest age band, which has been the case since the beginning of the pandemic.

There were 39 COVID-related deaths in Vermont in October, which is the third-worst month on record. There are nine so far in November.

The 11 worst days for cases have all come since mid-September,as the Delta variant has taken oversince early July.

Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak said both the case counts and fatalities have not shown dramatic reductions, as they have in other parts of the nation, particularly the South, or even in southern New England.

While the health experts do not understand exactly why this is, given Vermont's high vaccination rate, Pieciak said the three Northern New England states are all showing a similar pattern.

In addition, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, continues to urge Vermontersto get their booster dose, especially if they're over 65. The immunity appears to wane over time and older Vermonters and those immunocompromised were among the first vaccinated last winter.

The elderly have been especially vulnerable to COVID, with the vast majority of fatalities coming among those 80 and over (206total deaths, while having by far the fewest number of infections for any age band.). One death Saturday for 80+.

Thestate announced last Thursday nightthat boosters for Moderna (like already approved Pfizer, six months after second dose) and Johnson & Johnson (two months after first dose)would begin immediately. The CDC is also allowing people to change/ mix and match vaccines.

TheFDA Tuesdayapproved the low-dose Pfizer vaccine for children5-11. Human Services Secretary Mike Smith said if the CDC approves it tonight then the state will allow parents to sign up their kids as early as 8 am tomorrow morning with doses being available as early as Thursday.

He said that in addition to the usual vaccination clinics, the state will also be bringing the vaccine directly to 112 schools around the state, especially to those in outlying areas where transportation or fewer pharmacies could make it more difficult for kids to get their shots.

Dr Rebecca Bell, President, Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, at the governor's press conference Tuesday, sought to alleviate parents' fears.

She said the efficacy of this lower dose children's vaccine is still 91 percent. And unlike with adults, children in the control group did not show any of the flu-like symptoms that some adults have experienced.

Parents should also take comfort that a vaccinated child would no longer have to quarantine if they were a close contact to someone that tested positive. This issue has kept many kids out of school even though they never contracted COVID.

The Northeast Kingdom has the highest case rate of any region of the state, with Orleans County having the highest county rate, with over 1,000 cases per 10,000 residents. Bennington has the second highest rate with over 900 per 10,000.

Smith said the state will reinstitutepop up vaccination sitesin the NEK to increase vaccination rates, which are the lowest in the state. See list of upcoming NEK clinicsHEREand see below for statewide list of clinics.

COVID cases reported today were high in southern Vermont, with Bennington County alone reporting 34 and Rutland County 24.

But with all three boosters now available, vaccines for kids available and cases apparently declining, Governor Scott said Tuesday,"I'm more hopeful today than I have been in weeks."

Education Secretary Dan French announced Tuesday that the state was once again delaying the roll out of the 80 percent rule for ending school mask mandates. It will not happen go into effect until January 18, 2022, when students return to school after the Martin Luther King Holiday break.

The governor and his staff reiterated that these are recommendations only, because there is no State of Emergency, not mandates. The local school districts, like local businesses and individuals, must make their own rules.

As the Delta variantcontinues to be active in Vermont, Governor Scottiscalling on all Vermonters to act responsibly.

The new school guidance reads:

"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 January 18, 2022.

"Currently, all Vermonters ages 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated.

"After January 18, 2022, 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 schools 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."

The state also released school sports guidance Tuesday.

See Vaccination & COVID-19 Dashboards & Vaccination Sites TableBelow

Addison County

New Cases:5

Recent Cases 14 days:91

Bennington County

New Cases:20

Recent Cases 14 days:352

Caledonia County

New Cases:30

Recent Cases 14 days:204

Chittenden County

New Cases:83

Recent Cases 14 days:651

Essex County

New Cases:8

Recent Cases 14 days:90

Franklin County

New Cases:48

Recent Cases 14 days:301

Grand Isle County

New Cases:2

Recent Cases 14 days:26

Lamoille County

New Cases:15

Recent Cases 14 days:134

Orange County

New Cases:14

Recent Cases 14 days:169

Orleans County

New Cases:42

Recent Cases 14 days:334

Pending Validation

New Cases:4

Recent Cases 14 days:6

Rutland County

New Cases:15

Recent Cases 14 days:412

Washington County

New Cases:51

Recent Cases 14 days:283

Windham County

New Cases:6

Recent Cases 14 days:176

Windsor County

New Cases:33

Recent Cases 14 days:261

Most cases in Vermont are in the younger age groups with the 20-29 reporting the most, with nearly 7,300 total cases out of 37,100+, but only one death. The over 79 demographic has the fewest cases (just over 1,200) but by far the most fatalities with 188, or more than half the state total.

Financial Commissioner Michael Pieciak said Tuesday (SEE HIS FULL SLIDE DECK HERE) cases across the nation are falling fast and that the seven-day and 14-day averages in Vermont and the Northeast also are falling but at a slower rate. Vermont's seven-day infection rate is down15 percent. For the 14-day average, while overall it is down 2 percent for those who are fully vaccinated, it's up 9percent for those who are not fully vaccinated (which includes the unvaccinated).

Cases in high vaccination regions of the country are not displaying the typical Delta variant pattern, as in India, of a spike followed by a steep drop off after a couple months.

In Vermont, Delta has shown slow growth and a long plateau. Health Commission Mark Levine suggested that the drop off here could be another couple of weeks off, but he frankly was not sure.

He and Governor Scott and Human Services Secretary Mike Smith all urged that everyone who is eligible to get a vaccine to get one now, to get a booster now and to wear a mask while at an indoor gathering.

Governor Scott said the data shows that virus transmission with Delta is occurring at things like weddings and baby showers and birthday parties, sort of small and medium events where people are gathered for a period of time. It is not happening while visiting a convenience store or other type place where you are in an out, he said. Nor is it happening at outdoor gathering events.

Pieciak,in his COVID-19 Modeling presentation, said deaths seem to have slowed down a little as Delta has taken its toll. There have been 23 in October so far (as of the 21st)

Still, September was the second worst month for COVID-related deaths in Vermont since the beginning of the pandemic, with 45.

December 2020 was the worst with 71 and April 2020 was third worst with 35.

Meanwhile, the state is ramping up antigen testing in schools to keep kids in school who otherwise would be sent home if there were a close contact of someone who tests positive. Children now have a higher rate of infection than adults.

Governor Scott and state officials are urging all those who are eligible now to get vaccinated or get a booster shot, to do so, in order to reduce community transmission of the novel coronavirus (see clinic sites below).

As of October 1, many more Vermonters can now schedule and receive their Pfizer vaccine booster shots. He said there is plenty of vaccine supply.

We know vaccines are safe and effective, and these additional doses add even more protection. So, I encourage anyone who is eligible to register for your booster today, said Governor Scott. At the same time, we continue to urge those who have not yet gotten their first dose to get vaccinated. The data shows we are now in a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and vaccines are the best way to protect yourself, friends and family, and to make sure we continue moving forward from the pandemic.

Governor Scott said that the state will take a very broad interpretation of eligibility.

"We've reflected on this," Scott said. "We'regoing to be quitelenientin terms of whoshould beincluded and if they'd like tohave a booster we'd like to find a wayfor them to have it. So Iexpect that number is substantiallyhigherat this point. So our interpretation ofthis will be,again, quite broad."

Addition of Rapid Testing Tools Will Help Keep More Kids in School

When a student or staff member with COVID-19 is present in school during their infectious period, the school may implement Test to Stay for unvaccinated close contacts.

Unvaccinated, asymptomatic students (ages 5 and up) and staffwho areclosecontacts of a positiveCOVID-19case.

View post:
VDH: Cases surge again to third-worst on record - Vermont Biz