No doubt it has been an unprecedented and extremely difficult eight months as the global community has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. But despite our efforts, the virus persists – in fact, here in Vermont, we are seeing more new cases on a daily basis than ever before.
For in depth coverage, check out this thread by Jane Lindholm of VPR, as well as her on-air interview with Deputy Health Commissioner Tracy Dolan and Dr. Kristen Pierce, infectious disease specialist at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
According to state officials, many of the new cases are linked to out-of-state travel and private social gatherings, particularly those that have been held indoors and without masks. If you have participated in either of these things, we encourage you to get tested, which you can find more information about on the Agency of Human Services website.
Officials are specifically asking that anyone who attended Halloween parties on Oct. 31 in Marshfield and Milton get tested, as well as those who participated in bowling leagues at Spare Time in Colchester on Nov. 4 and 5.
In response to rising cases, Governor Scott has:
- Prohibited multi-family gatherings.
- Required that all bars and social clubs close to in-person service.
- Implemented a 10:00 pm mandatory closing time for restaurants.
- Required expansive contact tracing for all in-person services, as well as mandatory compliance for individuals.
- Reinstated a mandatory two-week quarantine for anyone traveling to Vermont from out-of-state, and for all college students (in-state or out-of-state) returning home for breaks.
- Suspended all recreational sports programs, including organized and/or informal recreational youth and adult league sports, practices, games and tournaments.
- Asked that all businesses, not-for-profit entities and municipal government entities reinstitute, to the maximum extent possible, telecommuting or work-from-home procedures.
We encourage you and your family to continue to follow recommended health guidelines as we work together to stem increasing infection rates. You can find more information about getting a COVID-19 test by visiting the Agency of Human Services website.