State health chief: Vt. remains well-protected against COVID

A billowing cloud towers above Route 4 in Woodstock on Monday evening. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Six weeks ago, Vermont lifted all of its statewide pandemic restrictions after surpassing its 80% vaccination goal.

Now, that nation-leading immunization rate among the eligible population is keeping the state safe, while the delta variant of COVID-19 has become a greater concern in other less-vaccinated regions, notably parts of the southern and western U.S., according to Vermont officials.

Responding to recent trends, the CDC released new guidance on Tuesday, saying those who are fully vaccinated should resume wearing masks indoors in areas where COVID-19 infection and transmission are high.

At a Tuesday press briefing, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said he didn't think the CDC update would necessitate any changes in Vermont, given the continued low transmission of COVID in the state. Though the delta variant has driven "slightly higher numbers of cases" in Vermont, Levine said, the state’s vaccination progress was keeping people safe. He noted Vermont had the lowest rate of hospitalization due to COVID in the U.S., as of Tuesday.

“If you're vaccinated, you're highly protected against severe illness, hospitalization and death, including from the delta variant," Levine said.

In their update, CDC officials also recommended that students, teachers and staff in all K-12 schools should mask up, regardless of vaccination status. Levine said the state plans to come out with a decision on that next week.

As of Tuesday, 83.6% of Vermonters age 12 and over had received at least one shot of the COVID vaccine. Overall, Vermont had an additional 2,153 Vermonters start vaccination between last week and Tuesday, and is also leading the U.S. in other COVID-related metrics, according to Michael Pieciak, Vermont's commissioner of financial regulation, who oversees the state's COVID data tracking.

"Vermont continues to be a leader across the board, when it comes to vaccination progress," Pieciak said Tuesday.

Speaking on Wednesday, Woodstock Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn said the village doesn't plan to make any changes after the CDC update, in keeping with the state’s approach. Woodstock Village suspended its local mask mandate in mid-June, when the state removed its masking policy. Kahn noted, however, that businesses can still implement their own rules if they so choose.

— Gareth Henderson