The Department of Public Service announced that customers of an expanded list of water and wastewater providers can now get help with past due bills. Deputy Commissioner Allen said that “the VCAAP has expanded to include non-regulated water and sewer/wastewater charges from municipal water and sewer/wastewater departments, community water systems, fire districts and other agencies…

Staff report While schools seemed to be limiting the spread of Covid-19 fairly well initially, a number of cases have recently been reported in Rutland County. Earlier this month, a preschooler at Orwell Village School tested positive and last week there were three confirmed cases in Rutland City Public Schools — each at a different…

By Katie Jickling/VTDigger After Kathy Warren battled Covid-19 for more than three weeks in March, her fever dissipated and she was able to walk down the street in Montpelier without needing to rest. She thought she had beaten the virus. But in May, Warren, 57, was hit with another wave of illness, including a sore throat…

By Emma Cotton/VTDigger As of Tuesday, Nov. 17, 26 residents and 12 staff members have tested positive for Covid-19 at Rutland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, according Richard Feifer, the nursing home’s chief medical officer. At Friday’s regular press conference held by Gov. Phil Scott, state officials said four of the 19 residents have been hospitalized.…

K-12 schools grapple with holiday exposure risks to Covid-19, potential outbreaks, staffing By Curt Peterson An explosive increase in Covid-19 cases across the U.S. and now Vermont are inspiring many reactive decisions — perhaps none more consequential than those regarding education. Education Secretary Dan French said at the Nov. 13 pandemic press conference the state…

Contact tracer keeps advice simple: stay 6 feet apart or keep contact to less than 15 minutes By Polly Mikula The recent surge of Covid-19 case growth in Vermont has led to new mitigation measures to slow the spread. Among those announced Friday, Nov. 13, were a prohibition on multi-family gatherings and the closure of…

By VtDigger Gov. Phil Scott on Friday announced a ban on inter-household gatherings, the closure of bars and social clubs, and the cancellation of recreational sports leagues as the Covid-19 case count rises in Vermont. The governor said that too many Vermonters have not been following the state’s guidance on social distancing and limiting in-person…

Increasing number of cases heighten the need for people to be aware of COVID-19 symptoms, cooperate with contact tracers when called, get tested and follow recommendations for preventing spread of the virus The Vermont Department of Health is urging anyone who participated in certain events in northern and central Vermont to get tested for COVID-19.…

Governor orders SEOC to begin surge plan implementation and urges Vermonters to recommit to precautionary measures and avoid gatherings to slow the spread The State of Vermont reported 72 new Covid-19 cases the morning of Nov. 11, the highest number of cases reported since the start of the pandemic, and almost double the number of…

By Katy Savage The state released much anticipated operating guidelines for ski resorts on Nov. 3, weeks before resorts are projected to open for the winter season. Ted Brady, the deputy secretary for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, called the guidelines the “safest and strongest” in the country at a Nov. 3 press…

Officials strongly discourage holiday travel, out-of-state guests; urge Vermonters to limit gatherings to 10 By Polly Mikula There are no longer any out-of-state locations that qualify for non-quarantine travel to Vermont. “We are temporarily suspending our out-of-state travel map and requiring all non-essential travelers to quarantine,” said Governor Phil Scott at the news conference, Tuesday,…

By Tom Kearney/VTDigger State officials confirmed Tuesday that there’s been a Covid-19 outbreak at the Rutland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, which offers skilled nursing care. Eight residents and one staff member tested positive for the virus, and steps are being taken to limit further exposure for residents and staff members. Personal protective equipment has been…

As Covid-19 cases rise, quarantine required for out-of-state travel and visitors To slow the spread of Covid-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise in Vermont and throughout the nation, Vermont will temporarily require a 14-day quarantine for all non-essential travel, increase compliance checks and expand testing to find the virus earlier and contain it faster. The latest…

  As life continues in the shadow of the pandemic, Vermonters should be talking about how to feel comfortable and stay safe before seeing friends and family. The Vermont Dept. of Health has posted  four tips to help have the “Covid Talk” – a conversation to negotiate boundaries and establish expectations ahead of holiday gatherings.…

The University of Vermont Medical Center and Vaccine Testing Center at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine have been selected to take part in a Phase 3 trial for a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. Governor Phil Scott announced the plans at the regular press conference, Tuesday, Oct.…