I don’t think any of us here in Vermont ever expected that we would become a COVID-19 hot spot in the U.S., nor that we would remain in this status for so many weeks. I remember back in the spring of 2020, when we reacted with alarm that the number of new cases in the state was exceeding 100 per day. Here we are, 18 months later, with new case counts as high as 740 per day in Vermont. Why is our rate of infection so high?
- As Governor Phil Scott said last week, “This is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Although Vermont continues to be the most-highly vaccinated state in the nation (94.5% of Vermonters age 12 and up are partially or fully vaccinated and 48% of Vermont children ages 5-11 have received at least one dose), it is mostly those who are still unvaccinated who are contracting the Delta variant. And breakthrough infections are occurring, primarily among those who haven’t yet received a booster shot.
- Although our behaviors strongly send the message that we are done, emotionally and physically, with the pandemic, the pandemic is not done with us. After almost two years of coping with COVID-19, people are tired of wearing masks, of social distancing, of not traveling, of not seeing loved ones. Time is our most precious resource, and we feel frustrated and dismayed that the virus has robbed us of our “normal” way of life, so we’re sorely tempted to go back to our old ways. Fewer people seem to be masking in public places, and holiday gatherings are being held.
What can we do to bring the COVID-19 case rate back down in Vermont?
- Get vaccinated. Everyone age 5 and older is eligible.
- Get your booster shot. If you are 16 and up, and received your second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than 6 months ago, or your Johnson & Johnson shot more than 2 months ago, you are eligible for a booster because your immunity is waning.
- Keep gatherings small, and among fully vaccinated and boosted people whenever possible.
- Wear your mask when in public places, or with people whose vaccination status you don’t know.
- If you feel sick, get tested and isolate at home until you receive the results. If you’ve tested positive, let those you’ve been in recent contact with know, so that they can be alert for symptoms and perhaps get tested as well.
The good news about the Omicron variant is that, although it may be more contagious, it seems to cause fewer, less severe symptoms and hospitalizations. It appears that our vaccines are as effective against Omicron as they are against other COVID variants.
What we can be proud of in Vermont is that we have the lowest daily death rate, and the lowest death rate per capita of any state in the nation. This may be because we successfully held off the surge until the vast majority of our population was vaccinated, thus saving lives.
Physicians tell us that Coronavirus will become endemic, which means that the entire population will eventually contract it, much as we get the flu or colds. Those of us who have been vaccinated, and have received our booster shots, will have very mild cases of COVID, or will perhaps experience no symptoms at all. However, the unvaccinated are at a higher risk, potentially, of a devastating outcome.
You may have seen media coverage about the fact that hospitals in New England are at or near capacity. About 80 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized in Vermont today, including 24 in intensive care beds. This surge is impacting a healthcare system that’s experiencing staffing shortages, also widely covered in the media. I want to thank each and every healthcare professional, here at Grace Cottage and elsewhere, for your tireless hard work, including those of you on the front lines and the many who continuously support you. Your selfless dedication and compassion are recognized and appreciated; you truly are healthcare heroes.
I know I speak for all of us when I say that our thoughts and hearts are with the people and the communities across six states impacted by the horrific tornadoes this past weekend, as search and rescue efforts continue.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Doug DiVello, President & CEO
Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital
