Vermont sets new positive COVID daily case record as delta surge continues

Elizabeth Murray
Burlington Free Press

Vermont saw a new COVID-19 positive case count record over the weekend as the virus's delta strain continues to surge through the state. 

The state's Health Department reported 347 new cases Saturday, including 10 probable cases counted toward the daily total.

On Sunday, the state continued to report high numbers — 241 cases total — and 38 people in the hospital, including 11 in the intensive care unit. The state also reported a total of 345 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

Signs and posters that were up as the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in March 2020 remain on display July 20, 2021 at Esox bar in Burlington.

Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak reported last week that cases had increased 26% over a seven-day period. Rates were reported to be higher in the Northeast Kingdom in northeastern Vermont and in Washington and Rutland counties. Pieciak gives data updates each Tuesday during a weekly news conference.

More:5 things to know about the COVID-19 delta variant, which is dominating in Vermont

Gov. Phil Scott has called the current stage of the pandemic the "pandemic of the unvaccinated" as the majority of new COVID-19 cases are coming from people who either have not — or, as in the case of kids under 12, could not — get the vaccine. Scott has continued to encourage eligible Vermonters to get the vaccine. 

More:Child COVID cases are outpacing the general population in Vermont

However, Scott has also received criticism for declining to restore mask mandates. He had instituted mask mandates in spring 2020 to quell the rise in COVID-19 cases before a vaccine was available. Scott said he would need to declare another state of emergency to reinstitute a mask mandate, which he said would be an abuse of his power as governor. 

Instead, Scott mandated vaccines for state employees, and a number of other public and private businesses did the same for their employees. State employees who do not attest to their vaccination status must be tested on a weekly basis and wear a mask to work. Some businesses have also instituted masking or proof of vaccination status requirements for patrons. 

Free COVID-19 vaccines are offered at a concert at Shelburne Museum in Shelburne on July 24, 2021.

COVID-19 boosters are also available to people who are 65 and older or who meet other eligibility requirements, such as being a person of color or having a job that demands close contact with members of the public.

As of Saturday, 79.8% of Vermonters aged 12 and older had been fully vaccinated, according to Health Department data. 

More:Activists renew pressure on governor for indoor mask mandate and school COVID-19 rules

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 802-310-8585 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.