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 12.7.21.
Governor Scott announced that the Department of Financial Regulation is issuing an emergency rule today requiring commercial insurers to cover rapid Covid-19 take-home tests, retroactive to December 1. The administration is looking to expand the program beyond commercial insurers.
Covid cases in Vermont have increased 54 percent over the last seven days. The case rate for unvaccinated Vermonters has increased 95 percent, and the case rate for fully vaccinated Vermonters has increased 53 percent. If you contract Covid, you are now 15 times more likely to need hospitalization if you are unvaccinated. Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said that “if you have not received a booster, and you’re due for one, you are not fully protected.”
NOTES:
- Governor Phil Scott:
- 80 years ago today, US was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Very few left today who were there that day…so important to take every opportunity to thank members of the Greatest Generation.
- CDC closely watching Omicron variant – Dr. Fauci said it appears that cases aren’t as severe – but still much to learn. Stay focused on what we know works – vaccinated, boosted, wear mask indoors around others. Dr. Walensky – “we’re in a much better position than we were at this time last year.” Vaccines remain our most important tool.
- Reassuring that Pres. Biden laid out national plan to address Covid – looks a lot like what we’re doing here. He discussed Test to Stay, and discussed importance of making widely available – which we’re focused on here in VT. Over the past 30 days – VT has led in testing – 12% higher than the second state. Nevada – who many have held up re: their mask mandate – is testing 10 times less than VT. When looking at other states, we have to look at the full picture. Leading the handful of states that have mask mandates.
- Still have work to do – get vaccinated and boosted. If you get boosted this week, will be fully protected by New Year.
- Want to have tens of thousands of home tests available to Vermonters – this is in addition to any federal program. Will have more on this in the coming days.
- Pres. Biden is looking to have Americans reimbursed for stay-at-home tests in the new year – Commissioner Pieciak and his team at DFR have already been working on this, so we’ll be launching in the next few weeks.
- DFR is issuing an emergency rule today requiring commercial insurers to cover rapid Covid-19 take-home tests. Retroactive to Dec. 1. Can get at pharmacy without out-of-pocket costs. Looking to extend beyond commercial insurers.
- Secretary Mike Smith retiring – so lucky that we had him. He’s a true public servant. Certainly going to miss him.
- Commissioner Mike Pieciak:
- Commercial insurance test program will take some time to implement – but will be retroactive to Dec. 1.
- Cases in Vermont have increased 54% over the last 7 days and up 31% over the last 14 days.
- Cases across New England up 63%.
- Increase in testing this week – 53% in testing.
- Does look like there was a Thanksgiving surge.
- 95% rate increase in those not vaccinated. 53% fully vaccinated rate increase. Five times greater case rate in those not fully vaccinated now.
- Cases elevated in 13/14 counties. Cases continue to be elevated in Bennington and Rutland counties.
- Most vulnerable Vermonters – age 65 and higher – have lowest rate.
- Hospital numbers – 7 day average up 18%. 74% of hospitalizations are among those that are unvaccinated. ICU – 24% increase of 7 day average. 81% not vaccinated.
- 15 times more likely to receive hospital care if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted.
- Small increase in availability of ICUs.
- Higher Education numbers relatively stable.
- LTC outbreaks down.
- Forecast – not much of a change from last week. Anticipated that cases will stay elevated the next four weeks. Anticipate that with more people getting boosted and 5-11 year-olds vaccinated – rates will decrease.
- 38 fatalities in November. 5 fatalities reported so far in December. Rate decreased.
- 5-11 year-olds highest demographic of cases in Vermont.
- Secretary Dan French:
- Elevated case counts creating challenging environments in schools – mostly elementary schools.
- School nurses say that their workload is unsustainable at this point. Parents can assist by keeping kids home if they’re sick. Get kids vaccinated.
- Implementing response testing, including Test to Stay. Seeing schools making good progress – 147 schools performing antigen tests.
- Looking to expand into Pre-K.
- Secretary Mike Smith:
- 42% of Vermont population 18+ has received booster.
- Increasing use of monoclonal antibodies. Decreasing patient loads at hospitals by using sub-acute beds.
- UVMMC adding 5 beds, other hospitals adding others as well.
- Federal government has put new emphasis on rapid testing – will ultimately be main strategy. Report positive cases to the Vermont Department of Health.
- Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine:
- True Thanksgiving surge.
- If you haven’t gotten a booster – and you’re due for one – you’re not fully protected.
- Omicron not yet detected in Vermont.
- Unvaccinated showing up at ERs very ill, without having been tested. If you get tested when you first get ill, you may be able to get monoclonal antibodies and increase chance of staying out of the hospital.
- Questions:
- Do hospitals have capacity to deal with another surge?
- Smith – Yes – more beds that can and will be opening up. Able to redeploy staffing to staff.
- FEMA doesn’t have capacity for field hospitals or staffing in VT.
- What recommendations do you have for indoor dining?
- Levine – Sometimes I’m more concerned about indoor dining at home, depending on who’s around the table. In restaurants, recommend masking at all times, except when you’re eating your food. Not seeing widespread cases at restaurants in Vermont.
- Global Foundries now requiring vaccines.
- Scott: Getting through the holidays is going to be our most difficult time.
- Levine: Have 11 ICU beds open in Vermont today.
- Scott: I am much more concerned about our workforce crisis than our Covid crisis – that’s going to impact us for years to come…will be what we focus on this upcoming session. It’s what keeps me up at night.
- ISO-NE released its winter energy report – concerned about what happened in Texas last year and back up surplus.
- Scott – I believe that we’re in good shape here because we get so much power from Hydro Quebec. And saw that natural gas has gone down… haven’t heard that we have anything to worry about.
- Smith: Responsibility of reporting positive Covid cases is going to shift to the individuals – taking take-home tests. That’s why we have reporting tool online.
- Levine: Will still be some degree of surveillance testing.
- Smith: Not tracking elective procedures delayed.
- Do hospitals have capacity to deal with another surge?