Vermont reported “low” Covid-19 community levels in the past week, according to the state Department of Health’s Wednesday surveillance report.
Most metrics were similar to the numbers reported a week ago as the state slowly drops out of a small surge in December and January. According to the health department, 19 people were admitted to Vermont hospitals with Covid in the past week, up from 17 the week before.
There were 132 Covid cases reported in the past week, down from 142 the week before. Case counts are primarily based on PCR test data and do not include at-home antigen testing.
All Vermont counties had “low” Covid levels in the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention update on Friday. The CDC levels are based on a combination of hospital admission rates, case counts and the percentage of hospital beds taken up by Covid patients.
The health department reported three additional Covid deaths, bringing April’s death toll to 14. In total, 960 people have died of Covid since the pandemic began in March 2020.
Outbreak count drops
As Vermont’s Covid metrics have dipped in recent weeks, the number of outbreaks reported each week has begun to decline, according to health department data.
The department tracks Covid outbreaks in specific facilities such as long-term care, correctional facilities, and school and child care settings, defined as three or more laboratory-confirmed Covid cases.
Outbreak reports in school settings have come under scrutiny before for incomplete and inconsistent data. But even as PCR testing has waned, lowering case counts statewide, the health department has continued to report a steady drip of outbreaks.
In the past month, the number of outbreaks reported has dropped below 10 per week, with a particular drop for school and child care settings. Outbreaks in long-term care have also declined, but more slowly.
Long-term care facility outbreaks were a key driver of deaths and hospitalizations early in the pandemic. School and child care cases forced institutions to close or scramble to find staff replacements during high points in the pandemic.