Vermont again breaks record for new COVID cases; officially adopts CDC recommendations on isolation, quarantine

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - A day after Vermont shattered its previous record for new COVID infections, the state set yet another record.

The state on Thursday reported 1,352 new infections. That surpasses Wednesday’s record of 940 new cases. The previous single-day record before that was 740 cases on Dec. 10.

State officials had anticipated a surge in cases during the four weeks following the holidays, brought on in part by the fast-spreading omicron variant.

Thursday, Vermont reported three additional deaths, bringing the death toll to 471.

There are 56 people hospitalized, 19 of them in the ICU.

The state’s percent positive seven-day average hit 7.3%

The all-time COVID case count in Vermont stands at 64,447.

Vermont on Thursday officially adopted the CDC’s new recommendations for isolation and quarantine when it comes to COVID.

The CDC announced its new guidance earlier this week, which includes cutting isolation restrictions for asymptomatic people and shortening the time close contacts need to quarantine.

The CDC says the changes are motivated by science showing transmission usually occurs in the first few days before and after symptoms appear.

One addition the state made is allowing Vermonters to end isolation on day five if they no longer have a fever and have two antigen tests that are negative performed at least 24 hours apart, starting on day four of their isolation period.

Click here for more information from the Health Department about COVID-19, including actions to take if you test positive or are a close contact, where to get vaccination and booster shots, testing and protecting yourself and others.

Record numbers of COVID cases have been reported nationwide as well, and the CDC says those numbers will continue to rise.

The omicron-fueled surge is putting children in the hospital in close to record numbers. And experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.

During the week of Dec. 21-27, the CDC says an average of 334 children with the coronavirus were admitted per day to hospitals, a 58% increase from the week before.

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