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Vermont to participate in Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial

November 4, 2020
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.…

School district grapples with holidays, travel quarantines as Covid cases increase regionally

November 4, 2020
By Curt Peterson Sherry Sousa’s “Superintendent’s Report” was scheduled for five minutes on the Windsor Central Supervisory Union board meeting agenda, but the ensuing discussion helped put the meeting into overtime – totaling three hours. Maintaining a high level of learning while coping with masks, social distancing, hybrid and remote learning, frequent testing and a…

Vermont to participate in Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccine trial

October 29, 2020
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.…

Vt’s initial vaccine distribution plan submitted to CDC

October 28, 2020
Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, detailed the state’s framework for distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine, at the press conference Friday, Oct. 23. The plan will be ready for once a vaccine is produced and distributed to the state. The state has submitted responses to a series of questions from the Centers…

Vermont investigation contributes to national understanding of Covid-19 transmission

October 28, 2020
Research released in CDC report An investigation conducted by Vermont Dept. of Health scientists and released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that transmission of Covid-19 can occur during multiple brief exposures with someone who is infected. Staff from the Health Dept. and the Dept. of Corrections looked into an instance in…

Who is considered a Covid close contact?

October 28, 2020
As officials investigate school-based cases, students and teachers are not considered contacts if masking, social distancing protocols adhered to By Lola Duffort/VTDigger On contact-tracing Covid-19 cases within schools, the state is following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and generally considers anyone who comes within 6 feet of a confirmed or probable case for at…

WCSU says positive case in district does not pose risk to students, staff

October 28, 2020
Staff report On Oct. 25, Windsor Central Supervisory Union (WCSU) Interim Superintendent Sherry Sousa wrote two emails to families in the district alerting them of a positive case of Covid-19 in the district and its effect on the community. After a positive diagnoses of Covid-19 was discovered on Saturday, Oct. 24, Sousa wrote. “Those who…

Covid outbreaks are spreading through small gatherings

October 28, 2020
By Erin Petenko/VTDigger Vermont’s Covid outbreaks have spread past single cases to broader community transmission, contributing to some of the highest case totals the state has had since spring, officials said at a press conference Tuesday, Oct. 27. An outbreak that began at an ice rink in Montpelier has now infected 57 people, many of whom…

Gov. Phil Scott extends state of emergency until Nov. 15

October 21, 2020
Governor Phil Scott announced Oct. 15 that the state of emergency is now extended to Nov.15 to ensure the state can continue to suppress the spread of Covid-19. The executive order has been extended with no additional changes. “Vermont has led the nation in responding to this virus. We’ve worked together to keep each other…

Kids with runny noses sent home, creating havoc with jobs, child care

October 21, 2020
By Lola Duffort/VTDigger Amanda Durand’s 3-year-old daughter was at child care for about an hour in September when a center worker called to say she had to go home. The toddler had a runny nose and “one green booger,” the West Rutland mom recalled. “I got lucky. I work from home, so I was able to…

VSAC: Covid-19 had little impact on Vt. students’ plans to attend college

October 7, 2020
Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on the lives of beginning and returning college students. But according to a survey of rising high school seniors and returning college students who completed a free application for financial student aid (FAFSA) conducted in June and then again in July by Vermont Student Assistance Corp., students’ decisions about…

The Killington World Cup Foundation awards over $225,000 in grants to 21 nonprofits

October 7, 2020
The Killington World Cup Foundation (KWCF) recently awarded 21 grants totaling $228,000 to Northeast region nonprofits in eight states through a competitive grant opportunity. Combined with matching funds and multi-year grant commitments, the KWCF’s effort will contribute more than $400,000 in resources to winter sports infrastructure in the region. These grants were made possible as…

27 farm workers test positive

October 7, 2020
By Polly Mikula At a special media briefing on Monday, Oct. 5, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the health dept. is investigating an outbreak of Covid-19 at Champlain Orchards in Shoreham. There were 26 cases associated with the outbreak, Monday, with one more added Tuesday.  Contact tracing is now complete for those known cases,…

K-12 fall sports can compete starting this weekend

September 23, 2020
By Erin Petenko/VTDigger The state’s K-12 schools can transition to “Step 3” of reopening this Saturday, allowing them to fully play fall sports, officials said at a press conference Tuesday, Sept. 22. Secretary of Education Dan French said the new rules “still require stringent measures” to limit the spread of Covid-19, but schools have more flexibility…

$2.5 million to be granted to small businesses through tech assistance

September 23, 2020
On Friday, Sept. 18, Governor Phil Scott and Secretary Lindsay Kurrle of the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD) announced the launch of the Small Business Recovery Technical Assistance Program. The program will connect small businesses in need with five technical assistance teams across the state offering resources to help to address businesses challenges…