Today, March 12, Governor Phil Scott announced  new gathering guidance for people who are not vaccinated: Two unvaccinated people or households can now gather at a time. “You’re not limited to choose just one other household,” Scott said. “You can do so with multiple households, as long as it’s just one at any given time.”…

Restrictions on gatherings loosen again for vaccinated Vermonters By Polly Mikula Because of the increased supply and lower than expected enrollment in the 55+ group with high risk conditions (phase 5a), the state is opening up registration for 16+ with high risk conditions (5b) early, Governor Phil Scott announced Tuesday, March 9. Vermonters age 16+…

Lab results confirm presence of more infectious, deadly U.K. variant Vermont health officials have confirmed detection of the Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 – the viral mutation first detected in the United Kingdom. in the fall of 2020. This is the first lab-confirmed evidence of any coronavirus variant in the state. The variant was detected in a…

The Vermont National Guard will expand the state's vaccination capacity by providing vaccines starting today through March 7. Task Force Coyote, a unit that has served Vermont from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly one year ago will administer the vaccines at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Burlington. Eligible Vermonters can register through…

By Polly Mikula Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday, March 2, that school staff, child care workers and more public safety officials will now be eligible along with Vermonters with high-risk conditions to receive the Covid-19 vaccine starting next week. “We know that getting kids back into school for in-person instruction five days a week is…

Supply at Walgreens allows for people in this age group to get vaccinated a few days before that phase opens statewide on March 1 Starting today, Vermonters age 65 and older can make an appointment at Walgreens to get their Covid-19 vaccination. This is in advance of the statewide clinics for this age group that…

By Peg Bolgioni Since Dec. 15, 2020, Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) has delivered the coronavirus vaccine to around 6,000 individuals. To break it down further, they have vaccinated the 1-A group, which included 1,452 RRMC employees and 2,539 frontline healthcare workers. Approximately two weeks ago they began vaccinating the 75-plus age group, and as…

Enrollment opens at 8:15 a.m. Monday, March 1 By Polly Mikula Vermonters ages 65 or older can register for the Covid-19 vaccine beginning at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, March 1, officials said at a press conference Tuesday, Feb. 23. State officials recommend that the 42,000 Vermonters in this age category make appointments on the Department of…

Starting 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, people in Vermont who are age 70 and older were eligible to make their appointment to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. As of the 11 a.m. regular press conference, 11,000 had already done so — about a third of the population in that age bracket, state officials said. Call…

Tests of Burlington wastewater point to virus strain known as the “UK variant” Burlington’s testing of wastewater has detected the presence of two Covid-19 virus mutations that are associated with the B.1.1.7 variant, first detected in the United Kingdom. Detection of these two mutations is a strong indicator that the B.1.1.7 variant is present in…

By Erin Petenko/VTDigger School and youth leagues will be able to resume competitions Feb. 12, state officials said at a press conference Friday, Feb. 5. The games will have some restrictions, such as limiting the teams to two games a week and forcing competitions to be spaced three days apart, said Julie Moore, head of the…

On the eve of Super Bowl weekend, the Rutland Regional Medical Center COVID-19 Task Force is asking community members to refrain from going to or hosting Super Bowl parties. The Task Force which is made up of physician leaders, infection prevention specialists, and nurse leaders, is concerned that Super Bowl parties could further add to…

By Erin Petenko/VTDigger Vermont is now getting 22% more vaccine doses per week from the federal government than its previous allocation just weeks ago, Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday, Feb. 2. Scott learned in a call with other governors that morning that doses would increase another 5%, on top of an 8% increase announced last week…

Rutland Regional Medical Center has restricted visitor access to its Inpatient Medical Oncology Unit (MOU)* after a fifth staff member on the unit tested positive for COVID-19. The hospital has been working closely with the Vermont Department of Health to conduct contact tracing and has expanded testing for any staff or patients who may have…

Registration opened Monday, Jan. 25, for Vermonters age 75 and older to get a Covid-19 vaccination. By the end of the day Monday, 21,100 had been scheduled for vaccination. Appointments can be made online at healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine. Eligible Vermonters will be asked to create an account on the website, then log in to make their appointment. A…