Vermont reported 73 new cases of Covid Friday, while updating Thursday’s data to include cases that were delayed because of technical issues at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Thursday’s data now includes 224 cases, many of which were actually tested in November, said Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of the Department of Health. UVM Medical Center apologized for the delays at a press conference Thursday.
Levine said one day was not a trend, and it could take another few days for cases to appear in the data that were caused by multi-household Thanksgiving gatherings. But he said the increased number of cases was concerning.
“We continue to have concerns that I voiced yesterday, regarding the fact that this winter, people are congregating more together in indoor settings,” he said Friday at Gov. Phil Scott’s press conference.
Levine said the rise in cases was particularly concerning for long-term care facilities, which have seen a streak of outbreaks in recent weeks. Two new deaths were reported Friday, both connected to long-term care facilities, bringing the statewide total to 77.
Department of Health data and VTDigger reporting has found 234 cases among long-term care facilities with ongoing outbreaks as of Friday, compared to 166 cases reported Tuesday.
The state has plans to add multiple rounds of testing at long-term care facilities beginning next week, said Mike Smith, head of the Agency of Human Services. Facilities will have twice weekly testing of all patients, daily antigen testing for staff, and immediate testing available for symptomatic residents.
Mental health stigma addressed
At the press conference Friday, Department of Mental Health Commissioner Sarah Squirrell asked Vermonters struggling with anxiety, depression and isolation to reach out for help.
“We’re juggling child care and working, we’re stressed in isolation and we’re worried about the future,” she said. “And some of us have lost loved ones.”
She said Vermonters were “not alone” with their problems. “Do not be afraid to talk about it, and don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she said.
The state has launched a Covid Support VT hotline with counselors available to talk to Vermonters. They have responded to over 744 phone calls, Squirrell said.
Vermonters can also reach out to community mental health services, 211 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, she said.
Asked about how he was doing, Gov. Phil Scott said, “These are trying times for each and every one of us.”
“I’m very blessed to have a good family, as well as a great team, where we really are working on this seven days a week to try and get through this,” he said.
He said the coming vaccine gave him optimism about the future.
“We can see the finish line,” Scott said. “I’m confident we’ll get there. We’re all gonna have to work together in order to help each other and support each other along the way.”
