Innkeepers are a busy bunch. To save you time, VLA attends Governor Scott’s Covid-19 Press Conferences and takes notes for you. Below is the summary from 4.2.21
During Friday’s press conference, Governor Phil Scoot and his administration officials provided an update on COVID-19 data, vaccination program, school guidance, and other related items. Next week Governor Scott will roll out the blueprint for a return to normalcy over the next three months.
Gov. Scott:
- 40% of adults received at least one 1 dose of vaccine
- VT remains one of the top 10 states in vaccine administration overall
- States receive the same percentage of vaccine based on population
- In VT we are seeing very high interest in vaccinations; we haven’t had many cancellations
- Spring sports guidance will be updated today
- Continue following health guidance currently in place
Sec. French:
- Weekly surveillance testing – 1472 participants this week
- 80% of all schools’ staff have been vaccinated
- CDC’s guidance is to decrease distancing standard from 6 feet to 3 feet for all grades. VT will be adopting this recommendation.
- We expect our schools to be moving to full in-person instruction in the coming weeks; we will publish the revised guidance next week.
- School buildings will be opened for normal use this summer, but there will be some requirements around safety
- SBAC testing: VT will be submitting a waiver request to waive the 95% participation requirement.
Commissioner Pieciak provided an update on COVID-19 case demographics.
- Some parts of the US are experiencing case growth. Many of them are B 1.1.7 – a variant from the UK.
- States that have COVID-19 cases on the rise are Michigan and several Northeast states (including VT), especially Massachusetts and Connecticut.
- Hospitalization and death numbers are continuing to fall.
- Vermont data:
- Cases continue to rise (both 7-day and 14-day case average are all time high)
- 27 years old is the median age with case increase
- Population 70+ is seeing a significant case rate decrease, and 20-year olds and teens are seeing most significant case growth
- Risk by age group: people under 30 are at greater risk of getting infected, but risk of hospitalization is lower for 30-year olds than those in their 40s, 50s, 60s, etc.
Secretary Smith provided an update on vaccination efforts and also and update on senior centers and adult day centers re-opening.
- This week population 50+ were eligible to make appointments. As of this morning, over 27,800 people in this group made appointments.
- Over 3,000 people in BIPOC group made appointments
- Total 213,700 VTers have been vaccinated against COVID-19
- Homebound vaccination program is expanding (with added capacity and staff). If you are homebound and need to be vaccinated, please call: 833-722-0860.
- Efforts to ramp up vaccinations in the Essex county: mobile clinics at 9 locations are being deployed on 4/10 and 4/11. Schedule an appointment on-line if possible (not all walk-ins can be accommodated).
- We are working with a healthcare provider in NH to administer vaccine to VT residents in that county. More update to come.
- Senior centers and adult day centers have been closed for group activities since 11/20. Now they are ready to re-open with reduced visitation capacity. Each center must determine their re-opening date depending on their site readiness.
- Bennington veteran home – cases have been reported. The concern is that not all staff members were vaccinated (only 40%). Almost 95% of residents have been vaccinated. Recently Dr. Levine spoke to direct care staff to increase vaccination acceptance.
- Monday, 4/5 – age group 40+ can schedule an appointment starting at 8:15am.
- Please make sure to cancel your appointment in the state system if you got your vaccine through a pharmacy.
Dr. Levine:
- Today’s numbers: 35 hospitalizations, 2 in ICU.
- VT positivity rate is 2.2%
- Variants have been detected in 5 counties in VT.
- We predict that in 3 more weeks enough VTers will be vaccinated that we can live our lives without much risk of this virus transmitting from person to person.
- Any Easter gatherings are discouraged. If you do gather, gather outside, wear masks.
- Travel is still not advised, If you travel and are not vaccinated, get tested and follow quarantine requirements.
- Re: Manufacturing error in one of the Johnson and Johnson plants. This problem did not affect any doses shipped or administered.