The Northeast Kingdom, Vermont’s most rural region, reported some of the lowest Covid-19 case numbers during the first wave of the virus in the spring of 2020 and maintained a low rate of spread even during the heights of the virus in the winter.
But the newest surge in cases has migrated to Orleans and Caledonia counties, both of which reported a high number of towns in the top category of case numbers compared to their population, Department of Health data show.
The numbers themselves remain small: 202 cases were reported in Orleans County and 187 cases in Caledonia County in the past 14 days, compared to 841 cases in Chittenden County.
But Orleans and Caledonia also have smaller populations, leading to a rate of 7.5 cases per 1,000 for Orleans, 6.2 cases per 1,000 for Caledonia and 5.1 cases per 1,000 people in Chittenden. That’s compared to a statewide rate of 3.7.
By comparison, northeasternmost Essex County seems relatively untouched, with most towns in the lowest category of case rates. However, it’s worth noting that Essex has the lowest testing rate of any county. Only 39% of Essex residents have ever had a Covid test, compared to 58% of residents statewide.
That low testing rate may make outbreaks and community spread harder to catch. Essex County is also, so far, the county with the lowest percentage of its population vaccinated for the virus.
Rutland County also reported several towns with high case rates in the past two weeks, including a growing number of cases in Rutland City.
Burlington continued to report a rising number of cases, with a 20% increase in cases in the past two weeks.
Communities with the highest category of case growth included Barton, Burlington, Castleton, Chittenden, Danville, Derby, Enosburgh, Hardwick, Irasburg, Killington, Lowell, Lyndon, Newport City, Peru, Rutland City, St. Albans City, Sheffield, Troy, Wallingford, Westfield and West Rutland.
Check out the table above to see how your communities’ cases have grown recently, or see the Vermont Department of Health map to understand how cases compare to your town’s population.
