Vermont has a record 178 new cases; UVM Medical Center apologizes for reporting delays

Vermont reported 178 new cases of Covid on Thursday, a new daily record. But health officials have warned not to jump to conclusions about the rise – yes, the totals could be the first wave of a Thanksgiving-related surge, but they’re also in part the result of testing changes and error reports.

The University of Vermont Medical Center did not release about 50 test results between Nov. 22 and 29, hospital president Stephen Leffler told reporters. He attributed the delay to technical issues as the hospital restarted its electronic health records system after a cyberattack in late October.

Leffler apologized “for the error and any impact that had on any of our patients or on the community.” Sixteen of those tests are included in Thursday’s results. The rest will be added to tomorrow’s totals, according to state epidemiologist Patsy Kelso.

When patients were tested between Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, doctors received the results and informed those who tested positive. But the hospital did not report the results to the Vermont Department of Health. State officials contacted the hospital on Nov. 30, after a week without test results from Vermont’s largest hospital, Kelso said. She promised that the contact tracers would follow up today with the patients who had tested positive.

The hospital will revert to faxing test results to the state until medical center officials are confident the electronic report is working properly, Leffler said.

The surge in cases could be the start of a spike linked to Thanksgiving gatherings, but Health Commissioner Mark Levine has warned Vermonters to wait for the facts.

“One day is not a trend,” he said. “But one day should give us a break.” He urged residents of Vermont to “examine our own recent behaviors” and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The health department reported a new death on Thursday, bringing the total number of Covid deaths in the state to 75.

Levine and his colleagues have publicly predicted a higher number of cases as colder weather sets in and people spend more time indoors. “I don’t want this number to create an alarm. I also don’t think we should all be surprised by this, ”Levine said.

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Still, the total could continue to rise over the next week. National researchers have warned that the number of cases could double if a high percentage of Vermonters gather for Thanksgiving despite state warnings.

At a press conference Thursday, Levine was unable to provide details on recent cases, or offer updates on outbreaks or test results in nursing homes for the elderly. Today, the state’s 48 contact tracers were calling everyone who had tested positive, he said, and he promised more details on Friday.

Chittenden County has reported 64 new cases of the virus, its highest daily total since the start of the pandemic. Caledonia County also reported an increase in cases on Wednesday and Franklin County has seen a recent increase.

The state reported that 29 people were currently hospitalized with the virus, another increase from previous days. Three of these people were in intensive care. The health department has reported one new death.

Vermont has seen an increase in nursing home cases for the aged and epidemics statewide. In response, the Ministry of Health set up new testing sites and stepped up its contact tracing.

He is expected to receive his first batch of vaccine by December 15.

Despite the reporting error, UVM Medical Center will continue to offer testing, according to Leffler. He said no further reports to the state were affected and vowed to monitor the results more carefully.

Patients who tested positive have been contacted by their doctors, said Human Services Secretary Mike Smith.

“Everyone should have been told by the provider of their positive results and should self-isolate at home,” he said. If they haven’t heard of a contact tracer, “they’ll now be contacted by the health department,” Smith said.

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