Next up for COVID vaccine: Vermonters 75+; Waterbury’s cases climb

January 23, 2021 | By Lisa Scagliotti 

State officials on Friday announced plans to begin vaccinating Vermonters aged 75 and older against COVID-19 just as new Vermont Department of Health data show another significant uptick in virus cases in Waterbury in the past week. 

At an all-virtual press briefing Friday, Gov. Phil Scott and other state officials outlined plans for the next phase of the vaccine distribution that will begin on Monday when online and telephone registration systems go live for people to schedule appointments. The state has added a new section to its website with vaccine details. It is at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine.

Because supplies of the vaccine are limited and those age 65 and older are most prone to get seriously ill and die from COVID-19, Gov. Scott said those individuals will be the next priority for vaccinations. Already the vaccine was first given to health care workers and those who live and work in long-term care and nursing facilities. 

Friday’s briefing was completely remote after Gov. Scott and other members of his cabinet and others were forced to quarantine on Tuesday after learning they had been exposed to a contractor who tested positive for the virus after attending both the Tuesday briefing this past week and last Friday’s briefing. 

Gov. Scott, Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine as well as Public Safety Commissioner Michael Schirling, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith, Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak and Communications Director Rebecca Kelley all were exposed and required to quarantine. Former Barre Mayor Thom Lauzon who was a guest speaker on Tuesday also found himself subject to quarantine this week. 

By Friday night, the governor’s office issued a statement that both Smith and Schirling had tested negative and were ending their quarantine period because their exposure was Jan. 15. Gov. Scott, Levine and others exposed on Tuesday had tested negative once and will be retested this week before being able to end their isolation period, according to the announcement Friday night. 

None of the officials involved have been reported to be experiencing any symptoms. 

Much of Friday’s update focused on details regarding the next round of vaccines. Secretary Smith explained that the phone number would be announced Monday for people to call to schedule appointments and the online system will be live. Although there will be 400 call-takers, Smith said, the online scheduling is likely to be faster. He urged people to help family members, friends and neighbors in this senior age group with navigating the internet portal. 

Smith said appointments will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 27, and scheduling will allow enough time to book each of the nearly 50,000 Vermonters in this age group. The state plans to open 54 vaccine centers in 39 communities across the state including Waterbury, according to a map on the new vaccine web page.  

Smith asked that people remain patient during the scheduling process, to not call elsewhere other than the number that will be released on Monday. “Be patient and be kind to those working in this effort,” Smith said. 

“And when you make an appointment, please keep it” in order to prevent vaccine doses from going unused and spoiling due to refrigeration requirements, he added.  

State officials are estimating it will take five weeks to vaccinate the 75-and-older group. After that, those between 65 and 74 will be next, followed by those with chronic health conditions that leave them susceptible to serious illness from the virus. 

Smith called it a “moral obligation” to take an age-based approach to vaccinating. Gov. Scott said he was pleased to see steps being taken by the new administration in Washington, D.C., to push for more testing, protective equipment and vaccines. Should the vaccine supply increase as Vermont’s roll-out continues, Scott said, the state could rethink and expand its distribution plan. 

Cases still high statewide, increasing in Waterbury

Dr. Levine noted that case counts continue to register daily over 100 with Friday’s report of 174 compared with 102 on Thursday; six more deaths were registered by the end of the week for a total of 169, Levine noted.

The state’s weekly town-by-town breakdown also showed a significant increase for Waterbury where as of Jan. 20 the case count stood at 77. That’s up by 6 cases since Jan. 13 and it represents an increase of 17 cases in January alone, according to Health Department data. 

Several other nearby towns reported increases including Stowe with 72 cases, up from 68 last week; Waitsfield and Warren were each up by 2 cases this week for totals of 28 and 24 respectively. 

State health officials stress that as people await their turn to get the vaccine, it remains important to continue taking all of the steps to prevent the spread of the virus such as frequent hand washing, keeping six feet distance from others, wearing masks and not gathering with people from other households. 

Local testing schedule  

In addition, testing is important in case anyone thinks they may have been exposed to the virus. Testing for COVID-19 remains available and free locally at several locations staffed by Waterbury Ambulance Service personnel: the Waterbury Ambulance station at 1727 Guptil Road; at 3336 Airport Road in Berlin; and at Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, Old Country Road, Waitsfield. 

Here is the testing schedule for Jan. 24-25 from Waterbury Ambulance Executive Director Mark Podgwaite:  

Waterbury: Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 25-26, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 5-8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 28-30, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Berlin: Monday-Tuesday, Jan. 25-26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Jan. 27, 4-6:30 p.m. and  6:30-7 for first responders only; Thursday, Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday, Jan. 29, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 30-31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

Waitsfield: Sunday, Jan. 31, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.     

And although walk-ins often can be accommodated, Podgwaite recommends signing up for an appointment. Do so on the Vermont Department of Health website.