Waterbury sees spike in COVID-19 cases; quarantine dropped for travel

April 10, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti

According to data released by the Vermont Department of Health on Friday, Waterbury saw an increase of 16 COVID-19 cases in the past week. 

This is only the second time the weekly increase has been this high since the start of the pandemic a year ago. Between March 31 and April 7, the state logged 16 cases for Waterbury. Only one other week, Feb. 10-17, saw that many cases added. Data by community is released on Fridays but it is dated on the previous Wednesday. 

Prior to that, the only other reporting period with that many cases was the two-week stretch at Thanksgiving when the state skipped the holiday week to report cases by community. Waterbury’s total then went from 31 cases on Nov. 18 to 47 on Dec. 2. Each case total is cumulative. 

Statewide, triple-digit increases in new daily cases continue to mount as the virus spreads among those not yet vaccinated. Friday’s report was 145 new cases statewide following 222 on Thursday. Deaths now total 231, according to state figures.

In reporting case data on Friday, state officials did not point to any particular situation or outbreak in the community. Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine attributed continued high case counts to people taking more risks, increased gatherings, and more highly transmissible variants circulating among those not vaccinated. 

Looking around the region, case increases in nearby communities have slowed. After two weeks that added nearly 40 new cases in Stowe, state data show just three new cases there for a total of 190. Increases were low in other towns in the Harwood Unified Union School District with just Moretown and Waitsfield reporting three and two new cases respectively in the past week. 

Washington County overall has one of the lower two-week case averages in Vermont, according to the latest case map from the Health Department. 

Friday’s map shows the highest concentration of cases in Chittenden County with 841 recorded in the past 14 days. Rutland and Orleans counties had the second- and third-highest two-week totals of 288 and 202 respectively. With 100 cases, Washington County ranked seventh among the state’s 14 counties. The lowest number of new cases in the past two weeks were in Grand Isle County with 21 and Essex County with just 14. 

Dr. Levine urged the public to continue to follow his now-familiar mantra: “six-foot spaces, masks on faces, uncrowded places” because “we’re not quite there yet.” 

Vaccinations open to 30 and above Monday

The local increase comes as the COVID-19 vaccination rollout continues to open up to more age bands and groups. Currently, all Vermonters age 40 and older are eligible to sign up for a vaccine appointment through numerous state-run clinics or those being run by pharmacies including Kinney Drugs in Waterbury. State officials Friday announced that more pharmacies will be added to the program. 

On Monday, the registration will open to those age 30 and up and on April 19, all Vermonters age 16 and older will be able to sign up for a vaccine. 

In addition, BIPOC Vermonters – those who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color – of all ages, 16 and up, and their household members may register for an appointment. The state opened eligibility after data sorted by race showed a trend of lower vaccination rates among non-white residents. 

Vaccinations are progressing with just under 30% of the state’s population already fully vaccinated, according to figures state officials shared Friday. 

State drops quarantine rule after travel

With school vacations coming up this month, state officials announced new guidance regarding travel and quarantine. Dr. Levine said Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated – meaning two weeks past a final vaccine dose. 

Vermont’s new travel policy asks Vermonters who travel out of state to test when they return without needing to quarantine. The Health Department asks that people test three days after returning, counting their return day as day zero. 

Visitors to Vermont are asked to get tested three days before arriving and to bring proof of a negative test, Levine said. 

Although quarantine is no longer required, Dr. Levine emphasized: “You should still be following the basic public health guidance. That means if you have any symptoms, stay home and away from other people until you receive a negative test result,” he said. “Even if the test you got within the 3-day travel window was negative, if you start to not feel well, stay home and get another test. And of course, if and when you are out of state, abide by our universal guidance to stay safe and protected.

Testing is not required for individuals who are fully vaccinated. 

Dr. Levine also reminded students and families who may have school vacation coming up to review the new travel guidance and avoid large gatherings.

“Following the same basic prevention guidance is critical to a safe return to school afterward,” he said. “Help protect your family, your school and your community while virus spread is still high.”

The Harwood Unified Union School District on Friday issued a travel update as well reiterating the new state guidelines. 

State and school officials urge the public to continue to adhere to public health guidance to wear masks, keep distance from others, wash hands and to get tested if exposed to someone with or suspected of having the virus. 

Testing is available daily in Waterbury at the Waterbury Ambulance Service headquarters on Guptil Road. Appointments are encouraged but the site will accommodate walk-ins as well.  

Hours at the ambulance station,  1727 Guptil Road, are:  9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. 

The Waterbury Ambulance Service staff also operate testing daily in Berlin at 3336 Airport Road. Hours there are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday; 4-7 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. 

They run a weekend testing site in Waitsfield indoors at the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, 4335 Main St., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Resources: Click here for COVID-19 testing scheduling and information; Click here for vaccine information; this link is for individual community data; the Vermont Health Department COVID-19 dashboard is here.