Multiple wastewater testing sites in Vermont have reported a dramatic rise in Covid-19 levels going into Christmas and New Year’s, according to the latest report from the state Department of Health.
The data shows that South Burlington, Essex and Montpelier had Covid levels close to or above their highest point in March, when the newly adopted contractor WastewaterSCAN began collecting samples.
Data from Biobot Analytics, a different wastewater testing provider, shows rising Covid levels in Chittenden and Bennington counties but little change for Franklin or Windsor counties. The company also reported that Covid wastewater levels are increasing at a national and regional level.
Ben Truman, a spokesperson for the health department, said via email that the rising wastewater levels were “not unexpected” at this point in the year, when respiratory diseases like Covid and influenza typically spread.
He said the good news is Covid hospitalizations remain low. The department reported 40 hospital admissions for Covid in the past week, roughly in line with the previous few weeks — although the state reported an increase from 20 to 30 admissions per week in August and September.
The department also reported a rise in two emerging Covid variants, JN.1 and BA.2.86. Truman said new variants can lead to a rise in transmission, as they tend to be more infectious than older variants that people have immunity to.
As Vermonters spend time with friends and family over the holidays, Truman said it is important to take simple and consistent measures to prevent transmission. Primary among them is staying up to date on vaccinations, including the most recent Covid vaccine.
The department reported that 19% of Vermonters have received the latest Covid vaccine, a rate far below previous vaccination campaigns. About 32% have received the influenza vaccine.
Some Vermonters complained about the limited availability of the Covid vaccine in the initial months of its rollout. A VTDigger review of vaccination providers as of Thursday showed that more appointments appear to be available than in October or November, although it varied by location and pharmacy chain.
Community Health announced a series of Covid and flu clinics in Rutland beginning on Friday. The clinics for adults, scheduled for Dec. 22 and Jan. 9 at Community Health Rutland, are available for walk-ins and by appointment. The clinics for children at Community Health Pediatrics on Dec. 28 and 29 are by appointment only.
Truman also said Vermonters should take other measures to prevent transmission like washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding contact with others when sick, and considering wearing a mask, particularly around high-risk people or when you’ve recently been exposed to someone with Covid symptoms.
