By Elizabeth Hewitt/VTDigger Vermont officials are continuing to prepare for children to return to the classroom next month, with Gov. Phil Scott saying at a press conference Friday, July 17, that it is “vitally important” to reopen schools. Administration officials and […]
Category: Covid-19 updates
Scott opens door for statewide mask mandate
By Polly Mikula Governor Phil Scott opened the Tuesday, July 21, press conference stating that Vermont now has the lowest number of total Covid-19 cases in country, moving past Hawaii this week to gain the top spot. “The state’s positivity […]
Black River Academy Museum launches Covid-19 community memory project
LUDLOW—Every member of the community has faced dramatic changes, felt difficult emotions, and responded to the global spread of Covid-19 in a variety of ways. The Black River Academy Museum and Okemo Valley TV have partnered on a community memory […]
Covid confirmation rate is low in Manchester outbreak
Health Department so far finds no indication of COVID-19 spreading in the community A week after reports first surfaced of a potential outbreak in the Manchester area, 35 of 63 people with a positive antigen test for Covid-19 reported […]
What is a second wave — and what could it mean for Vermont?
By Erin Petenko/VTDigger The first wave of influenza in the spring of 1918 was easy on the world: It, too, was a novel virus, but as it spread through the armed forces, sickening young men, it killed a few and spared […]
Vermont’s Covid case numbers continue to trend low, but continued vigilance is needed
By Polly Mikula Vermont is second only to Hawaii in its low number of total Covid cases (Vermont has 1,301; Hawaii has 1,138) and has posted the lowest positivity rating the the country for the past couple weeks, “so we’re […]
Thousands of businesses apply for emergency aid
By Polly Mikula Vermont businesses that have been hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic can now apply for up to $50,000 in emergency support. And some 2,300 businesses had as of 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, the first day the portals […]
New report examines disproportional impact of pandemic on Vermont women
The state’s independent non-partisan Vermont Commission on Women released a new data dashboard report on Thursday, June 25, outlining on the ways the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately and uniquely impacted women. “The economic downturn associated with the pandemic makes women more vulnerable to financial instability,” […]
After Covid-19 crisis, where will homeless Vermonters go?
By Grace Elletson/VTDigger Across the country, homeless populations have been battered by Covid-19. Over 700 people without housing have tested positive for the disease in Boston. Similar outbreaks among homeless Americans have taken hold in cities like Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Philadelphia. In Vermont, […]
What reopened school will look like in the fall
By Curt Peterson The Agency of Education and the Dept. of Health issued long-awaited guidelines for the reopening Vermont schools this fall on June 17. The 25-page report “A Strong and Healthy Start, Safety and Health Guidance for Reopening Schools, […]