July 19, 2021
Community Update #17
Dear Community Member,
As of July 16th, Vermont has provided at least one COVID vaccination to 83% of the population which puts Vermont as the number one ranked state for all COVID vaccination measures! This high rate of COVID vaccines protects our community and has allowed our region to keep the rise of the Delta variant low.
Given this high rate of COVID vaccinations and corresponding low COVID infection rate, BMH is partnering with the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Human Services to move into the next phase of our COVID response.
Beginning Tuesday, July 20th, BMH will be setting up a new model of delivering COVID vaccines and testing to our community.
The COVID Vaccination and Testing Center will move us from providing COVID testing and vaccinations out of the back of the Richards Building and Brew Berry conference rooms, respectively, to one location with one team providing both services.
Below please find the pertinent details of this new service.
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Start date: Tuesday, July 20, 2021
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Schedule: The service will operate Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9:30am to 6pm. Scheduled appointments and walk-in availability are provided. Walk-in patients will be accepted every day the Center is open.
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Services provided: Testing will be provided to symptomatic (experiencing symptoms) and asymptomatic (not experiencing symptoms) individuals. Vaccines will be available to all eligible patients (currently individuals age 12 and older)
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Location: 53 Fairview Avenue, Brattleboro – the unit attached to Brattleboro Family Medicine.
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Cost: No charge to individuals. This service is funded through a contract with the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Human Services.
While Governor Scott lifted all Vermont pandemic restrictions and terminated the State of Emergency order, President Biden has ordered healthcare organizations to follow the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Emergency Temporary Standard. This new standard went into effect on July 6th at BMH.
A significant component of this standard is that, until further notice, masks continue to be required in patient care areas in the hospital.
Following CDC and OSHA guidelines, BMH has been able to loosen some of the restrictions, but not all.
Patient/Visitor/ESP/Vendor:
- BMH will screen Patient/Visitor/ESP/Venders for new/unexplained COVID-19 like symptoms.
- Manual temperature assessment is no longer necessary.
- Evidence of vaccination no longer required.
Thank you for continuing to do your part to help Vermont lead the nation in vaccination rates and keep our community healthy and safe! Steve
