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.…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 (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…