Vermont Health Update: COVID-19 Trends and New Developments
Essex Junction, VT – May 31, 2025 – The Vermont Department of Health (VDH) has reported encouraging trends in COVID-19 metrics, with hospitalizations continuing to decrease statewide. Following a winter spike, both hospitalizations and virus levels detected in wastewater testing have dropped significantly. Notably, levels at the Montpelier site fluctuated briefly but are now declining again.
As of May 31, Vermont’s COVID-19 death toll stands at 1,294, with a solitary death reported in the past week. COVID-related fatalities are no longer being tracked, reflecting a broader trend across the U.S., where the death rate has stabilized at 0.4% of all deaths. Vermont maintains one of the lowest fatality rates in the country, significantly lower than states such as Mississippi and Oklahoma.
Recent statistics show two COVID-19 outbreaks, both in long-term care facilities, a drop from one outbreak the prior week. The increase in the Human Metapneumovirus and varying levels of other respiratory pathogens were noted, with RSV levels remaining high in Montpelier, while influenza viruses reported medium to low levels.
In a significant public health advancement, a new RSV immunization for infants is proving highly effective, contributing to a notable decrease in pediatric admissions for RSV-related illnesses. Dr. Rebecca Bell emphasized the importance of this monoclonal antibody treatment, which offers immediate protection instead of vaccine-triggered immunity.
As Vermont’s health landscape evolves, ongoing surveillance will focus on emergency department visits, wastewater data, and reported outbreaks to monitor public health effectively. Meanwhile, the VDH has transitioned to a new data reporting approach similar to that used for detecting influenza, underscoring the ongoing adaptation in health strategies.
For the latest recommendations on preventing COVID-19 in Vermont, residents are encouraged to refer to the Health Department’s updates.
————————————————————————
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
————————————————————————
