1,000 signs to highlight how to combat virus, stay safe RUTLAND—I Love Rutland is about to show some love in a new way, producing 1,000 lawn signs to remind county residents to stay vigilant, stay safe, and help each other in the fight to stop the spread of Covid-19. The double-sided signs will feature safety…

By Katy Savage If you see someone wearing a fabric facemask in the Killington area, it was likely made by Jane Johnson. Johnson has made 70 facemasks so far for employees at Killington Market, Sushi Yoshi, Sunup Bakery, iPie Pizzaria, the Killington town office, Mountain Merchant and BJ’s Wholesale Club. She’s also given masks to…

By Polly Mikula and Erin Petenko/VTDigger The latest update to the state’s model of Covid-19 cases shows that the rate of new cases  continues to decline. At a press conference Friday, April 10, Michael Pieciak, commissioner of the Department of Financial Regulation, said the slowdown indicates Vermont will most likely have enough hospital beds, intensive care beds…

Scammers are trying to cash in on the coronavirus. From selling phony health care products to soliciting donations for fake charities, scammers will try anything to get your money or sensitive personal information during times of crisis. With economic impact payments or “stimulus checks” coming, Attorney General T.J. Donovan and Treasurer Beth Pearce remind Vermonters to protect…

By Brooke Geery All around the country, people are finding ways to connect without actual contact, and one of those is through lights. Here in Rutland, Rutland Regional Medical Center illuminated its Christmas star, which gave Nancy Greenwood an idea. The local Realtor and community activist turned to Facebook to help spread message that actual…

As of Tuesday, April 14, the Vermont Department of Health reported that a total of 39 Rutland County and 27 Windsor County residents had tested positive for COVID-19. That amounts to 6 cases per 10,000 population for Rutland County and 5 cases per 10,000 for Windsor County. Health department officials on Friday said 31 people…

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers (April 10) in Vermont. The Vermont Department of Health today, Friday, April 10, reported that a total of 34 Rutland County and 24 Windsor County residents had tested positive for COVID-19. That amounts to 14 cases per 10,000 population for Rutland County and 2 cases per 10,000 for Windsor…

On Friday, April 10, Governor Phil Scott extended Vermont’s State of Emergency through May 15, which also extends the expiration date of all corresponding orders and directives issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The original State of Emergency, issued on March 13, was set to expire on April 15, as were the subsequent mitigation measures. As…

23 new cases were confirmed on Wednesday, April 8, for a total of 628 cases statewide. Here is how the numbers break down by categories:

CEO says “ok for now” on PPE By Polly Mikula On April 2, Governor Phil Scott announced new steps in the state’s plan to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 cases, and in turn, the need for additional hospital and medical capacity. “We continue to expand our medical surge capacity to be prepared for what…

Staff report The Vermont Department of Labor received 40,000-50,000 unemployment claims in the last two weeks of March. “That’s the same number of claims that we typically get in a year,” DOL spokesperson Kyle Thweatt said. Tens of thousands of unemployment claims have yet to be processed, he added. The surge is expected to continue…

By Anne Wallace Allen/VTDigger People who are filing for state unemployment insurance for this week will start receiving their weekly $600 supplement from the federal government when they receive their unemployment check next week, according to state officials. But for the self-employed and independent contractors, who are also in line to receive assistance from the state…

On Friday, April 3, Attorney General T.J. Donovan published Attorney General’s Directive to Law Enforcement on the Enforcement of COVID-19 Emergency Order. The directive is geared toward law enforcement, including state’s attorneys, sheriffs, and police. The directive establishes that the Attorney General will bring all enforcement actions related to the COVID-19 Emergency Order and provides steps…

Staff report On Sunday, April 5, the state of Vermont released a summary of ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) available as part of the coordinated fight against COVID-19. Under the “most likely scenario” modeling the state currently has a sufficient supply of N95 FFP respirators, surgical masks and gloves. It does not have a…

By Katy Savage Volunteers from the Rutland MINT Makerspace are committing to making 10,000 face shields for the Rutland Regional Medical Center as the hospital combats the coronavirus. MINT MakerSpace spokesperson Karen McCalla said MINT members Gabe Oberkirch and Tom Lichtman created the design for the shields and are cutting them with a laser. Oberkirch…