The Vermont Department of Health recently made a significant decision to halt the publication of Covid-19 data in its weekly surveillance reports. This move comes as the department transitions to a new format that aligns with reporting on other respiratory viruses, such as the flu. The most recent surveillance update, which was released on Feb. 19, now includes information on emergency department visits related to Covid, the presence of variants in clinical specimens, levels of Covid in wastewater sampling, and a tally of current outbreaks.
According to the latest data, there has been a noticeable decline in Covid levels, indicating a positive shift from the surge experienced in December and January. The department explained on its website that the reporting of individual Covid cases has become less meaningful due to changes in testing patterns, particularly the increased use of antigen testing. As a result, the accuracy of case data based on PCR testing has been compromised. The department ceased publishing daily Covid case counts in 2023, further emphasizing the change in reporting methods.
State epidemiologist Patsy Kelso highlighted that the proportion of asymptomatic Covid infections has risen, leading to fewer cases requiring health care intervention and subsequent PCR testing. This shift in the landscape of Covid infections has also impacted the way data is analyzed on a federal level. Individual test results are no longer being scrutinized or shared in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Covid tracker, a development that took effect in 2023. Despite this change, Covid remains a reportable disease at the state level, necessitating that positive cases be reported to the health department by relevant entities.
In terms of Covid-related deaths, the department announced that it no longer discloses death data as Covid has transitioned from being the primary cause of Covid-associated deaths to a contributing factor. Kelso elaborated on this shift by revealing that early in the pandemic, 87% of deaths linked to Covid in Vermont had the disease as the underlying cause. However, during the Omicron wave, this percentage dropped to 55%, indicating a shift in the role of Covid in mortality cases. Since early 2022, the Omicron variant has been predominant in Vermont.
The most recent surveillance update, released on Feb. 12, reported a total of 1,258 Covid-related deaths in Vermont since the onset of the pandemic, with 16 fatalities recorded in January. While the CDC continues to provide provisional mortality statistics, including those related to Covid, on a national scale, the specific data that will be shared on Covid deaths in Vermont through the CDC remains uncertain.
The evolving landscape of Covid data reporting in Vermont reflects the broader changes seen in response to the shifting dynamics of the pandemic. As health officials adapt their strategies to align with current trends in infections and testing practices, the way information is collected and shared continues to evolve. This transition underscores the importance of staying attuned to the latest updates and adjustments in public health reporting to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the ongoing impact of Covid-19.
