Latest coronavirus numbers -- WCAX continuing coverage
•As of Wednesday, Vermont health officials reported 295 new coronavirus cases for a total of 48,120. There have been a total of 406 deaths. The state’s percent positive seven-day average is 3.8%. A total of 539,685 people have been tested, and 39,420 have recovered.
•As of Wednesday, New Hampshire health officials reported 1,011 new coronavirus cases for a total of 155,711. There have been a total of 1,683 deaths.
•As of Friday, Clinton County, New York, has had a total of 7,667 confirmed cases and 47 deaths.
•As of Monday, Nov. 22, Essex County, New York, has had a total of 3,094 confirmed cases and 40 deaths.
•As of Friday, Franklin County, New York, has had a total of 5,393 confirmed cases and 25 deaths.
COVID-19 Stat Center
Select various chart displays by clicking or tapping on the choices below, and interact with the graphs to reveal more information.
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Vermont Vaccination Dashboard Data used with permission, find more about the Vermont Department of Heath Vaccine Dashboard and FAQs for their data here>>
Vermont COVID Infection Dashboard Data used with permission, find more from the Vermont Department of Heath and FAQs for their data here>>
Tap/click for a bigger view from Johns Hopkins University. Tap/click here for a mobile-friendly version.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS/CONTACTS:
***Click here for the latest information on who qualifies for COVID-19 vaccinations in Vermont and to register online for an appointment. You can also call to make an appointment at 855-722-7878. The call center is open Monday-Friday, 8:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.***
If you are sick and have questions, call your primary care physician. If you do not have one, call 211.
Vt. Department of Health: 802-863-7240
NH Division of Public Health Services: 603-271-4496
NY Novel Coronavirus Hotline 1-888-364-3065
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE VIRUS AND STEPS TO TAKE TO PREVENT ITS SPREAD, SEE THE LINKS BELOW:
More information from the Vermont Department of Health
More information from the New Hampshire Department of Health
More information from the NY Department of Health
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS/SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Vermont information for small businesses
Vt. Agency of Commerce and Community Development small business disaster hotline: 802-461-5143
New Hampshire unemployment claims
REGIONAL COVID-19 TIMELINE
March 2 -- first Upper Valley NH case confirmed
March 7 -- first Vermont case confirmed in Bennington county
March 11 -- VT activates emergency operations center, first Chittenden County case confirmed
March 13 -- state of emergency declared, began restricting size of gatherings, restricted visitors to long-term care facilities
March 15 -- schools closed
March 16 -- reduced gathering sizes more, closed bars and restaurants
March 17 -- child care closures
March 18 -- in-person DMV restricted, first nursing home case
March 19 -- first VT deaths from coronavirus
March 20 -- elective surgeries suspended
March 22 -- closure of close-contact biz, limited gatherings to 10 or fewer people
March 23 -- telecommuting ordered
March 24 -- stay home stay safe order issued, closure directed of in-person operations for non-essential biz the next day (March 25)
March 26 -- schools closed for rest of school year. NH orders residents to stay home & non-essential biz to close
March 30 -- all coming in from out-of-state have to quarantine at home for two weeks
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April 10 -- extended stay at home order through May 15
April 17 -- announced phased restart with five areas of focus
April 20 -- first biz reopen (outdoor work, small groups of 2 or fewer)
April 24 -- expands work crews to 5 or fewer, adds manufacturing reopening, greenhouse sales allowed with 10 person limit, mandates masks and safety training for biz
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May 4 -- Crews of 10 or fewer in manufacturing/construction/distribution, outpatient elective procedures can resume
May 6 -- limited social gatherings (10 or fewer, preferably outdoors) may resume, “trusted households” -- high-risk & seniors have to stay home still
May 7 -- some outdoor recreation may resume (golf, guided hikes, skate parks, etc.)
May 8 -- Ed agency announces traditional in-person large graduations are not allowed
May 11 -- Full/normal operations for manufacturing/construction/distribution
May 13 -- antibody testing group update (expected)
May 15 -- state of emergency expires but is extended to June 15
May 18 -- child cares can start bringing staff back, some nonessential businesses can reopen under guidelines
May 22 -- In-patient medical procedures, dentists, and most other one-on-one health visits reopen with guidelines; restaurants, lodgings, marinas reopen under guidelines
May 29 -- Salons and barbershops can reopen
May 29 -- NH stay-at-home order extended to June 15
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June 1 -- child cares reopen as able & with changes based on health dept. guidance; museums, gyms, spas, massage therapists, nail salons, cleaning services, and similar “interior maintenance” businesses can reopen
June 5 -- New Hampshire lodgings can resume with guidelines
June 8 -- Interstate travel to and from New England and New York counties with 400 or fewer active COVID-19 cases per million is permitted.
June 8 -- Vt. Indoor dining will be permitted with 25% occupancy limits and social distancing and health and safety protocols.
June 15 -- Vt. emergency order extended to July 15
June 15 -- NH stay-at-home order ends
June 15 -- Vt. lodging reservations start again. Travelers may complete quarantine requirements in their home state. Lodging operations may also increase occupancy limits to 50% or a total of 25 guests and staff, whichever is greater.
June 19 -- Vermont long-term care residential facilities can allow up to two visitors per resident, per day. Visits must be outdoors.
June 22 -- NH day camps allowed to open with guidelines.
June 25 -- Vermont State Parks camping allowed
June 28 -- NH overnight camps allowed to open (guidelines in development)
July 7 -- Gov. Scott says he will likely extend the emergency order that’s set to expire on July 15 for another month
July 15 -- Vt. emergency order is extended to August 15
July 17 -- Agriculture Assistance Program applications open
August 1 -- Vt. mask mandate begins
August 14 -- Vt. emergency order extended to September 15
August 26 -- Deadline for Operational Relief Grant Program to help child care programs offset pandemic-related expenses and losses.
September 8 -- Vermont statewide return to school date
September 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires and is extended to October 15
September 18 -- Vermont bars allowed to reopen counter service and lodgings go to full-capacity
September 21 -- Vt. school sports inter-team scrimmages delayed
September 26 -- Vt. schools enter step three and sports inter-team scrimmages begin
October 1 -- Deadline for Agriculture Assistance Program extended to November 15
October 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires and is extended to November 15
October 15 -- Guidelines for Vt. school winter sports to be released
October 15 -- Vt. moratorium on utility shutoffs ends
November 10 -- All visitors or residents returning to Vermont required to quarantine
November 13 -- Gov. Scott issues new guidelines on social gatherings, bars and restaurants, and sports leagues.
November 15 -- Deadline for Agriculture Assistance Program
November 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires and is extended to December 15
November 18 -- Front-Line Employees Hazard Pay Grant Program revised deadline (previously 11/13)
November 23 -- Surge site at Champlain Valley Expo ready for patients
November 24 -- Start of high school winter sports season put on hold
December 7 -- Vermont Supreme Court extends judicial emergency until March 31
December 15 -- First Vt. and NH health care workers receive COVID-19 vaccine
December 15 -- 100 total deaths reported in Vermont
December 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires and is extended to January 15
December 23 -- Vt. families temporarily allowed to gather with one other trusted household till January 2.
December 26 -- Public outdoor recreation with others, and youth league and school sports practices can begin.
December 29 -- Vt. officials announce age-based vaccination strategy
January 2 -- Return to no social gatherings
January 15 -- Vt. emergency order is extended to February 15
January 18 -- Phase 2 of Vt. school athletics plan begins
January 25 -- Vermont vaccination registration open to age 75+
January 27 -- Vermont vaccination clinics begin for age 75+
February 12 -- Inter-school and youth league competitions allowed with restrictions
February 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires and is extended to March 15
February 16 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 70-plus age category
February 23 -- Fully vaccinated individuals allowed to gather with one trusted household
February 23 -- Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine to travel to Vermont or return to Vermont.
February 26 -- Easing of guidelines begins for Vermont long-term care facilities
March 1 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 65-plus age category
March 8 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for teachers/childcare workers, correctional officers, public safety employees, 55-plus with underlying conditions
March 11 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 16-54 with underlying conditions
March 12 -- Vt. eases some social gathering, restaurant restrictions
March 15 -- Vt. emergency order is extended to April 15
March 24 -- Vt. bars and social clubs open under restaurant guidelines
March 25 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 60+
March 29 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 50+
March 31 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for parents caring for children with underlying conditions
April 1 - Vt. vaccine registration opens for all members of BIPOC community 16+
April 5 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 40+
April 9 -- Step 1 of Vermont Forward reopening plan
April 12 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 30+
April 15 -- Vt. emergency order is extended to May 15
April 17 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for high school students age 16-18
April 19 -- Vt. vaccine registration opens for 16+
April 29 -- Vt. vaccination registration opens for out-of-state college students, 2nd homeowners
May 1 -- Step 2 Vermont Forward reopening plan
May 14 -- Vermont drops mask mandate for fully vaccinated. Begins Step 3 of Vermont Forward reopening plan
May 15 -- Vt. emergency order extended to June 15
May 20 -- Residency requirement lifted for Vt. vaccinations
May 21 -- Canada extends border closure to June 21
May 29 -- 10 p.m. curfew lifted for Vermont bars and restaurants
June 14 -- Gov. Phil Scott announces Vermont has reached its 80% vaccination goal; COVID restrictions lifted
June 15 -- Vt. emergency order expires
June 21 -- Canada border closure expiration extended to July 21
July 21 -- Canada border closure expiration extended to August 21
August 9 -- Canada reopens to vaccinated Americans
August 20 -- U.S. extends Canada border closure to Sept. 21
September 20 -- U.S. extends Canada border closure to Oct. 21
October 1 -- Vermonters 65+, those with underlying health conditions, and essential workers can sign up for Pfizer booster shots.
October 22 -- Eligible Vermonters age 18 and older can get a booster vaccine that’s a different brand from their initial doses.
November 1 -- “Mix and match” vaccine scheduling opens on Vt. website
November 3 -- Vaccination signup begins for children aged 5 to 11
November 4 -- Vaccination begins for children aged 5 to 11
November 8 -- U.S. border opens to vaccinated Canadians.
November 22 -- Vermont Legislature holds special session; passes plan to allow communities to set their own limited municipal mask mandates.
November 23 -- Gov. Phil Scott signs bill allowing Vermont communities to create their own mask mandates
WCAX CORONAVIRUS CONTINUING COVERAGE 2021:
Businesses, shoppers navigate new stage of the pandemic
Hochul: Order boosts hospital capacity ahead of new variant
Skiers, riders enjoy opening day on the slopes at many resorts in our region
New Hampshire, Vermont asked to test deer for COVID-19
Vermont tracking COVID outbreaks at long-term care facilities
Half of New York’s $2.4B in rent aid held up 6 months after launch
Governors in our region share their thanks on Thanksgiving
Burlington restaurant marks another year of free Thanksgiving dinners
Volunteers hand out hundreds of free Thanksgiving meals in Plattsburgh
New Hampshire House sets upcoming schedule, but not location
Vermont rolling out new, faster LAMP coronavirus tests
Why it’s hard to get a booster shot appointment in Northern New York
Upper Valley general store gets creative to fill employee shortage
New COVID cases at Northern State Correctional Facility
Vermont families still struggling with food insecurity that started during pandemic
Killington gets ready to host thousands of visitors at World Cup
Vermont businesses hope you shop small this holiday season
Thanksgiving travel takes off again at the Burlington airport
Feeding Chittenden chefs pack Thanksgiving to-go meals
Scott signs bill allowing Vt. communities to create mask mandates
Burlington mayor proposes city mask mandate
COVID case counts high ahead of Thanksgiving holiday
Sununu issues executive order to boost hospital capacity
Vt. lawmakers vote to give communities the greenlight to pass mask mandates
Motel owner on the good, bad from voucher program for Vermont’s homeless
Masks again required in western NY county as virus spreads
COVID cases force Williamstown schools to go remote
COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in New York
Rise in Newport prison COVID-19 cases amid two facility outbreaks
Vermont Amtrak back for first holiday season since summer return
Canada relaxes testing requirement for short trips across the border
Audiences return for Mt. Abraham fall musical
Border towns bank on Canadian visitors as COVID rules ease
More positive COVID cases prompt lockdown at Newport prison
Canada to loosen border testing requirements for short-term visitors to US
Vermont joins list of states allowing universal boosters for adults
Orleans County Court to resume jury trials this winter
How Killington will keep athletes, spectators safe from COVID at World Cup
Infrastructure package comes with $100M for Vt. broadband. Will it be enough?
COVID forces Burlington school to temporarily go fully remote
Demand for at-home COVID tests goes up as holidays approach
Hochul warns of more COVID-19 protocols if numbers don’t dip
Help Wanted: Construction workers in high demand
Surging cases force St. Regis school district to go remote
Progress report on how Test to Stay is working in Vermont schools
Vt. children bear brunt of new COVID infections
Special session to begin Monday on municipal mask mandates
Officials urge COVID precautions ahead of Thanksgiving
Essex Fire Department participates in national mental health study
NEXUS and FAST enrollment centers to reopen
Source: Gov. Scott offers local mask mandate compromise to lawmakers, towns
Vermont Interfaith Action calls for long-term solutions for housing
City Council resolution would reopen Burlington homeless encampment
USDA helping cover costs of pandemic safety measures
Fewer calls to Vt. child abuse hotline during pandemic
Report: NY online driver’s test program rife with cheating
COVID-19 testing sites see increase in people
Ski and board tuneups taking more time than usual
NAACP, Health Dept. working to ensure equitable access to kids COVID vaccine
Are Vermont ICUs in danger of COVID overload?
Burlington restaurant responds to leaked email on sick policy
Facing critical foster need, NY social services transitions to keeping kids with kin
How Washington County is handling court cases during COVID
Seeing no action from governor, Vt. Legislature plans for targeted mask mandates
UVM Medical Center complies with federal worker vaccination mandate
Vermont daily case count soars to 591
After a dismal 2020-21 season, ski areas report strong early sales
Many homeless Vermonters can return to hotel-motel program
WCAX teams up with Vt. Foodbank for ‘Feeding our Neighbors’
NH company to benefit from Defense Production ACT PPE funding
Will a massive court backlog in Vermont mean criminal cases get tossed?
Former Northeast Kingdom nurse forges new path with cosmetic tattooing
Grant to expand nursing education program in Northeast Kingdom
NH Executive Council reverses course, approves $22M in vaccine funds
Sen. Warren’s concern over Vt. publisher’s COVID book prompts lawsuit
Grant helps Vermont farmers deal with mental health
Help Wanted: Tire shops shorthanded during busy season
Vt. ed officials say poor standardized scores a pandemic anomaly
Federal reimbursements extended for Vt. hotel voucher program
Senior pet adoption in the spotlight
Changes on the way for Vermont Recovery Network
Vt. officials continue to keep close eye on ICU capacity
Lawmakers call on Gov. Scott to enforce mask mandate
How Vermont will spend money from the federal infrastructure bill
Halloween blamed for surge in COVID cases at St. Michael’s College
Canadians pour into region as US border reopens
Ski shops worry about slow supply chain
How Vermont will spend money from the federal infrastructure bill
Feeding Chittenden launches virtual Thanksgiving food drive
NH businesses push back against federal vaccine mandate
More COVID cases pop up at St. Johnsbury prison
Local economy looks for boost with incoming Canadian travelers
US lifts pandemic travel ban, opens doors to visitors
St. Michael’s administration blames Halloween parties for outbreak
COVID Outbreak at Northeast Correctional Facility
Exposed unvaccinated Vermont state workers need to use leave
Derby Walmart among stores coping with supply chain crisis
US border to open to vaccinated Canadians Monday
Franklin County judge to potentially dismiss hundreds of misdemeanor cases
COVID spike triggers concern over Vermont hospital capacity
Drop in roadkill tied to work-from-home
State apologizes after technical error prevents vaccine registration for some
Seasonal business being impacted by worker shortage
Possible COVID-19 exposure at funeral service
Ed officials hope social-emotional training will help challenging student behaviors
Vt. lawmakers consider Statehouse expansion
NY foster care facing critical need
Vt. daily case count vaults past pandemic record
Thousands of Vt. parents sign kids up for vaccinations
Officials try to reassure parents after 2nd violent incident in Bristol schools
Vermont State Colleges System works to expand hybrid learning model
Homeless advocates vow to remain on Statehouse steps
Independent pharmacies not as affected by national staffing shortages
Advocates want more permanent solution to housing the homeless
CVPH temporarily pauses visits in Skilled Nursing Facility
Vermont children can sign up for COVID shot Wednesday
Middlebury food program moves into new space
Help Wanted: Vermont State Police looking for recruits
Vermont has program to build social emotional learning
St. Johnsbury prison in lockdown following positive COVID cases
Vermont state offices reopening but not all employees returning in person
Broadband grants to help get more Vermonters connected
Vermonters can mix COVID vaccines at state-run clinics
9,000 NYC workers on leave as vaccine mandate takes effect
Ski resorts counting on a return to normal on the slopes
Reallocated funds headed to nursing homes, food pantries
Scenic railroad won’t operate Santa Express Trains this year
COVID puts Milton pre-K program on pause