By Erin Petenko/VTDigger The nation has experienced its first sustained decline in Covid since July, an early sign that the virus has hit its peak in the U.S., Vermont officials said at a press conference Tuesday, Jan. 19. The trend is not regional, either. In fact, 41 states experienced case declines over the past week,…

The first round of shots for Vermonters age 75+ begin Monday, Jan. 25 Staff report State officials announced that registration for the Covid-19 vaccine for people who are 75 years and older will begin on Jan. 25. There are estimated to be about 49,000 Vermonters in that age group category. “Now that Vermonters know more about…

By Emma Cotton and Katie Jickling/VTDigger Ski patrols count as health care workers. The state is currently distributing the Covid-19 vaccine to “health care workers likely to be exposed/treat Covid-19 patients” and “long-term care facility residents and staff who have patient contact,” as part of group 1a, according to state guidelines. But who qualifies under that definition has evolved,…

By Polly Mikula As the contagious effect that the Christmas and New Year's holidays have had on the spread of Covid-19 in Vermont becomes better known, the state's prognosis for the coming month worsens. Just last week the plateau in cases was predicted to max out at around 200 cases per day — now it's…

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State officials urge all Vermonters who recently gathered with others or traveled to get tested By Polly Mikula Governor Phil Scott and State Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine encouraged Vermonters to go get a Covid-19 test, at the regular press conference Tuesday, Jan. 5. The governor had temporarily permitted households to gather with one trusted…

By Katy Savage After a month of uncertainty, winter sports clubs and youth programs can now resume. Gov. Phil Scott relaxed restrictions on club programs at his press conference on Dec. 22, giving the green light for practices, conditioning sessions and contact-less drills to begin starting Dec. 26 for school-based and recreational youth sports. Scott…

Remote learning week already planned Jan. 4-8 By Lee J. Kahrs The first cases of Covid-19 have been reported in two Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union (RNeSU) schools. RNeSU Superintendent Jeanne Collins, herself recovering from the coronavirus, confirmed the first cases on Dec. 18 and Dec. 23 sent out an email and a Facebook post to…

It also revealed the crucial role of government, not just in crises, new report shows The recession created by the Covid-19 pandemic, beginning in February 2020, ended the longest economic recovery on record. The highest-income Vermonters came out of that recovery better off. But no one else did. Those at the bottom had less income…

Officials urge vigilance, adherence to Covid travel and gathering guidelines By Polly Mikula For the second straight week, Vermont and the Northeast region have seen Covid cases decline. Governor Phil Scott called the trend a “promising sign,” before cautioning listeners at his regular Covid-19 press conference, Tuesday, Dec. 29, that it was “too early to…

Ski resorts attract crowds, but protocols appear to be working By Emma Cotton/VTDigger On the snowy ascent to Killington Resort, blue road signs instruct out-of-state skiers to turn away if they haven’t quarantined according to Vermont’s Covid-19 guidelines. The signs are a final plea by the resort, and the state, for those who haven’t followed the…

Case count at 19, including one staff member By Lee J. Kahrs PITTSFORD — Almost the entire current class of recruits at the Vermont Police Academy has now tested positive for Covid-19, but director William Sheets said recruits have not lost much training and class time, and graduation is tentatively set for Jan. 4. When…

By Polly Mikula It’s now ok to take a walk or ski with a friend — as long as you are outdoors, wear masks and stay six feet apart, Governor Phil Scott said at the state press conference, Tuesday, Dec. 22. In addition to recreating outdoors, families can now gather with one other trusted family…

State says immunity is still months away By Polly Mikula Governor Phil Scott announced the arrival in Vermont of the first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the regular press conference Tuesday, Dec. 15. It was the first portion of the 5,850 doses expected to arrive in Vermont this week. The first doses…

The state of Vermont is experiencing a shortage of nurses and caregivers for both paid and volunteer positions and is calling on volunteers and professionals to do all they can to help. The Vt. Dept. of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) has contracted with TLC Home Care, a staffing agency based in Williston, to…