BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont health officials responded Friday to news that the British variant of COVID-19 is being detected in Burlington wastewater samples, suggesting the more contagious mutation is now occurring in the community.
Vermont’s health commissioner, dr. Mark Levine, said he is not surprised that the variant may have found its way to Vermont and that he has been expecting it for some time. “Learning this news does not mean we have to change anything we do, but just to do it better,” Levine said.
The samples, which contain two mutations, come from Burlington’s main wastewater treatment plant, which covers the city center, Old North End, South End and parts of the Hill section. Levine says the variant is probably present here. If state investigations confirm the results, Vermont, along with 34 other states, will have the variant present.
Dr Levine says the UK, or B.1.1.7 variant, could even become the predominant strain of COVID in the US. ‘Mutations and variants are expected over time. The reason why the B.1.1.7 variant is relevant is that it is more transmissible and can lead to more cases of COVID-19, as well as possibly more hospitalizations or deaths, ”Levine said.
The state of Vermont will next week spend the genomic sequence of the virus on individuals positive for covid, to officially confirm the presence of the variant, which according to some studies is 30 to 40 percent more contagious.
People we spoke to in Burlington said they were already very careful not to spread the virus. ‘I was pretty careful myself because I’m from Vermont, we have pretty strict guidelines in the first place. Getting used to it really helps, ‘said Manchester United’s Ian Anglum.
‘I find it difficult when you run a double mask, but I think double masking is also very effective if you are in a grocery store or wherever you are. I think it’s definitely worth it, ”said Sophia Merageas of Burlington.
Dr. Levine said this week he agrees with the CDC’s findings that double masking can be very protective against virus transmission, in addition to other precautions over the past year.
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