Waterbury COVID-19 cases increase by 51% in two weeks
December 5, 2020 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
The new town-by-town map shows COVID-19 positive cases for the past two weeks. The table lists case counts since March 5. Source: Vt. Department of Health.
After holiday hiatus in reporting town-specific COVID-19 data, the state Department of Health on Friday released its latest community case counts that showed a 51% increase for Waterbury in two weeks.
The data are updated each Wednesday but the map was not revised during the Thanksgiving holiday last week.
The map shared on Friday showed COVID-19 cases through Dec. 2 in a somewhat new format. The color-coding now indicates the number of people who have tested positive by community within the past two weeks per 10,000 people.
A table alongside the map still shows the cumulative number of cases by town for those communities with more than 5 positive cases recorded since the state began keeping track in March. Based on that information, Waterbury saw a 51% increase since the previous map and table which used case data through Nov. 18. The count grew by 16 cases from 31 to 47 as of Dec. 2.
The increase puts Waterbury ahead of Stowe for the first time since the pandemic began. Stowe logged another 9 cases since Nov. 18 for a total this week of 42.
Most other nearby communities saw increases in the past two weeks as well: Moretown increased to 13 from previously being in the 1-5 case range; Waitsfield added 4 cases for a total of 13; Warren added 3 cases for a total of 11; Middlesex had 13, up 2.
Fayston previously was listed with zero cases and was in the 1-5 case category this week as as Bolton, which was unchanged from before.
Duxbury remains listed at zero cases on the map which may not necessarily mean that no one living there has tested positive. According to information with the town-by-town map, “Some cases may be reflected in the town of their mailing address, if their physical address is not available to us. When we contact the person, we confirm their physical address and update the record and the map when necessary.”
Duxbury shares zip codes with neighboring communities of Waterbury and Moretown.
Concern for mental health grows; youth sports still on hold
The new information comes as Vermont cases are setting new records. Thursday’s update logged a daily record of 224 cases for Wednesday, Dec. 2. Friday’s count was about a third of that at 73. As of Thursday, the state’s total case count was 4,763 with 77 deaths recorded, according to the Health Department.
Washington County no longer is leading the state in new cases. Chittenden County has had 349 new cases in the past two weeks; Washington was second with 197 and Franklin County third with 108. Twenty-nine people were listed as in hospital with 3 in intensive care.
At Friday’s press briefing, state officials discussed the strain of the pandemic on people’s mental health suggesting that individuals consider their own mental health and look after others.
Mental Health Commissioner Sarah Squirrell noted that people are struggling with isolation, unemployment, financial pressure, housing and food challenges.
“My message to Vermonters today is that you are not alone. It’s OK to not feel OK right now,” Squirrell said. “Do not be afraid to talk about it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
The Health Department has lists of resources available for those seeking mental health care. In addition to calling 2-1-1 for references, the department’s webpage on coping with stress has many helpful links.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine also acknowledged that difficult days lie ahead as winter settles in and the state continues to ask Vermonters not to gather with friends or family from other households.
Levine also stressed the importance of not stigmatizing COVID-19. “Stigma can lead to people hiding their symptoms or illness and keep them from seeking health care immediately,” he said. “It can also lead to people not being forthcoming or fully honest with family, friends, and of course, our contact tracing workforce.”
Other news on Friday from Gov. Phil Scott was that high school and recreational sports will remain on hold indefinitely. School athletic directors, coaches and student athletes are anticipating guidance to start the winter sports season which previously was expected to begin by the end of November. Recreational sports have been on hold since mid-November.
"Our data does not support the return of school or recreational sports at this time," Scott said. "I will continue to evaluate this each week.”
Local testing schedules
The Waterbury Ambulance Service continues to run several COVID-19 testing sites for anyone to request a test. Ambulance Service Executive Director Mark Podgwaite shared schedules through Dec. 13:
Waterbury Ambulance Station, 1727 Guptil Road, Waterbury Center: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday 5-8 p.m.
Berlin site, 3336 Airport Road (rear of building): Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday 4-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, 3898 Main St., Waitsfield (use the Old County Road entrance) Sunday, Dec. 6, and Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Preregistration is required for all sites and it can be done online at healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing/where-get-tested.