The reality of what’s happening at hospitals, like the University of Vermont Medical Center, is concerning to Dr. Gil Allen.”The people we’re seeing die are 40 and 50 years old and otherwise healthy,” he said.He treats patients who are critically ill with COVID-19 and said the vast majority of them are not vaccinated.The cases, which he said could be preventable with the COVID-19 vaccine, are putting strain on the health care system.”That’s one of the things that is really on my mind every day is making sure that there are beds available to the rest of Vermonters who need an available bed here,” said Allen.The recent rise in case counts has medical professionals and state leaders on edge.On Thursday, 487 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state of Vermont.There were 377 new cases on Friday.The spike in cases prompted Gov. Phil Scott to issue a message to the 55,000 adult Vermonters who haven’t been vaccinated yet.He said, in part, “Enough is enough, it’s time to step up and get vaccinated – something over 90% of your fellow Vermont adults have done.””The data continues to show that cases among unvaccinated people are still happening at far greater rates than cases among fully vaccinated people,” said Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s health commissioner, at Tuesday’s weekly COVID-19 press briefing.The Dept. of Health said the recent data is alarming, with more than 18,000 COVID-19 tests completed on Thursday alone.”I think part of that big number of tests done the other day was people who maybe gathered or went to a Halloween party over the weekend and wanted to know whether they were infected,” said Dr. Patsy Kelso, Vermont State Epidemiologist.Experts are encouraged, though, that thousands of kids ages 5-11 have already been signed up to get the vaccine.They hope that leading into the holidays more vaccinations, combined with smart habits such as masking and keeping gatherings small, will keep cases at bay.”We need to be smart about what we’re doing,” Kelso said.Experts said every person who gets the shot helps to take pressure off of an already stressed health care system.”It’s taken a toll on providers. They’re doing their best. They’re putting their best foot forward as always and were taking care of patients but we’re getting tired,” Allen said.Healthcare providers are hopeful that if the guidance is followed and more people get vaccinated things will slowly, but surely, start to turn around.Click here to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.
The reality of what’s happening at hospitals, like the University of Vermont Medical Center, is concerning to Dr. Gil Allen.
“The people we’re seeing die are 40 and 50 years old and otherwise healthy,” he said.
Advertisement
He treats patients who are critically ill with COVID-19 and said the vast majority of them are not vaccinated.
The cases, which he said could be preventable with the COVID-19 vaccine, are putting strain on the health care system.
“That’s one of the things that is really on my mind every day is making sure that there are beds available to the rest of Vermonters who need an available bed here,” said Allen.
The recent rise in case counts has medical professionals and state leaders on edge.
On Thursday, 487 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the state of Vermont.
There were 377 new cases on Friday.
The spike in cases prompted Gov. Phil Scott to issue a message to the 55,000 adult Vermonters who haven’t been vaccinated yet.
He said, in part, “Enough is enough, it’s time to step up and get vaccinated – something over 90% of your fellow Vermont adults have done.”
“The data continues to show that cases among unvaccinated people are still happening at far greater rates than cases among fully vaccinated people,” said Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s health commissioner, at Tuesday’s weekly COVID-19 press briefing.
The Dept. of Health said the recent data is alarming, with more than 18,000 COVID-19 tests completed on Thursday alone.
“I think part of that big number of tests done the other day was people who maybe gathered or went to a Halloween party over the weekend and wanted to know whether they were infected,” said Dr. Patsy Kelso, Vermont State Epidemiologist.
Experts are encouraged, though, that thousands of kids ages 5-11 have already been signed up to get the vaccine.
They hope that leading into the holidays more vaccinations, combined with smart habits such as masking and keeping gatherings small, will keep cases at bay.
“We need to be smart about what we’re doing,” Kelso said.
Experts said every person who gets the shot helps to take pressure off of an already stressed health care system.
“It’s taken a toll on providers. They’re doing their best. They’re putting their best foot forward as always and were taking care of patients but we’re getting tired,” Allen said.
Healthcare providers are hopeful that if the guidance is followed and more people get vaccinated things will slowly, but surely, start to turn around.
Click here to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.
