Covid-19 levels rise to ‘medium’ as XBB becomes main strain

Covid-19 community levels rose to “medium” last week, the Vermont Department of Health reported. The rising number of hospital admissions was mainly responsible for the state moving from “low” to “medium,” according to the department. It reported 67 new hospital admissions for Covid in the past week, compared with 33 the week before.  As of Wednesday, Jan. 4, 49 people were hospitalized for Covid in Vermont, including two in intensive care.

A new Omicron subvariant, XBB, has become the dominant strain in New England, according to CDC data. The strain made up about 75% of recent samples taken in the region. It also accounted for 40% of samples nationally, up from just 10% two weeks ago, the CDC reported.