WATCH LIVE: The Scott COVID-19 Update

MONTPELIER, Vermont (WCAX) – Gov. Phil Scott is urging Vermonters who may not have followed state COVID guidelines during the holidays to get tested now to avoid a potential virus spike in the weeks to come up.

Watch live at 11 a.m. on Channel 3 and WCAX.com. View in browser window above or click here to open a new window.

It’s still too early to tell from modeling that the virus spread over the holidays, but Scott and health officials remain concerned about the growth of cases. “We are trying to prevent people from suffering and suffering. we are working to save lives, ”said Scott.

On Monday, 165 new cases were counted daily and five more people died, bringing the death toll to 149.

There are 15 regular testing sites in Vermont, with some open seven days a week. You can sign up for a test on the health service website.

Vermont ranks 7th in the country for the percentage of people vaccinated. The state has received approximately 30,000 doses and administered 17,653 to date. Half of the state’s EMS workforce and a quarter of the state’s healthcare workers have been vaccinated. Many will receive a second dose this week.

While the state does better than most states when it comes to vaccinations, Scott says it’s still not good enough. The state has been promised 4,800 doses next week, but Secretary Mike Smith says we’ll have to see if those numbers are valid as the state has missed some shots in previous deliveries.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine says he doesn’t agree to giving just one injection to get more people vaccinated. He said it would be “non-conforming” use and is concerned that it may not be as effective as receiving two doses.

The state is continuing its plan for the next phase of immunization for people 75 years of age and older and those with heart disease, emphysema, COPD, cancer and people who have received organ donation. Levine urged people not to call or write and that the Vermonters will know when it is their turn.

Levine says the most contagious COVID mutation known as B117 is not yet here, but is likely to arrive here, especially since there is a case near Saratoga Springs. The commissioner says some positive COVID tests are being sent to the CDC for further testing to look for the new strain. He says that while it spreads faster, it doesn’t appear to be more deadly.

There are 451 cases in long-term care facilities and 10 cases in Kindergarten to Grade 12.

On Monday, Vermont health officials reported a daily tally of 165 new coronavirus cases for a total of 8,038. There have been a total of 149 deaths. The seven-day positive state average percentage is 2.8%. A total of 719,758 tests were performed, 307 travelers are being monitored, 11,885 have completed monitoring and 5,463 have recovered.

Copyright 2021 WCAX. All rights reserved.