Covid-19, influenza and RSV are on the rise in Vermont, according to the latest data from the state Department of Health and wastewater collection sites.
The latest surveillance data from the department shows that Covid hospitalizations, cases and wastewater levels have risen over the past two weeks.
The department has yet to publish its regular influenza update this month, but data from Wastewater SCAN, the state’s main wastewater surveillance partner, showed that the virus was rising at multiple wastewater sites as well. Wastewater SCAN also reported that respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, had risen at two of its three sites: South Burlington and Montpelier.
Department epidemiologist John Davy said an increase in these illnesses is expected this time of year as people congregate together indoors, have large holiday gatherings and send children back to school.
Vermont has repeatedly experienced Covid surges in the post-holiday period. The height of the pandemic, in January 2022, saw hospitalizations hit a new high during the Omicron wave.
Current Covid levels are about half of what they reached in last year’s post-holiday surge, Davy said, although he noted they may continue to rise. Vermont remained at a lower level than the rest of the nation.
He added that Vermont had seen a recent uptick in outbreaks of norovirus, a digestive system virus that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus also tends to be more prevalent from November to April.
The department is not concerned about the health care system’s capacity to handle the current level of respiratory illness, according to Davy, since it remains lower than in previous years.
The department reported that long-term care facilities have had 10 Covid outbreaks over the past two weeks. That was about the volume of outbreaks the department expects this time of year, Davy said, and none of them were large. As of Wednesday, each outbreak had remained in single digits of identified cases.
Still, he urged Vermonters to take preventive steps “in part to help avoid situations where health care providers and facilities are challenged in their capacity to provide care.”
That included washing hands, using air filters or a well-ventilated air system, staying home when sick and avoiding contact with others who are sick. Davy said surgical or N95 masks may prevent transmission of respiratory diseases, either when worn by the sick person or the people around them.
The department encourages Vermonters who haven’t received this year’s Covid or flu shots to do so. About 22% of Vermonters have received this year’s Covid vaccine, and 32% have received the flu vaccine, according to department data.
An RSV vaccine is also available to young children, pregnant people and older Vermonters. About 2,700 young children and 17,500 adults have received the RSV vaccine in Vermont this year, the department said, although the department does not report on other populations who may be eligible.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Covid-19 and other viruses on the rise after holiday gatherings.