Gov. Phil Scott

Gov. Scott at his administration's weekly press conference Tuesday

Court decision will not affect Vermont

Women’s medical decisions to remain “private and protected” MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott commented on a leaked draft Supreme Court decision, and state health officials urged Vermonters to evaluate their own risk of contracting the BA2 variant of COVID-19.
Gov. Scott...

Vermont Governor Phil Scott File photo

State officials not concerned about case uptick, hospitalizations remain down

MONTPELIER - Though Gov. Phil Scott led with policy talk at this week’s press conference, COVID-19 matters were addressed, largely in response to questions from reporters. Statewide, cases are rising in most age groups, but Gov. Scott said he is not concerned.
Commissioner of Health Dr....

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine at Tuesday's press briefing

Eyes on the BA2 strain

MONTPELIER- Even as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to fall in Vermont, the state is evaluating the potential impact of BA2, a variant of the COVID-19 Omicron strain.
“We continue to monitor any developments concerning the BA2 subvariant of Omicron, both abroad and here...

Vermont Governor Phil Scott

Governor doubtful new variant will cause new COVID wave

MONTPELIER- Gov. Phil Scott marked the second anniversary of Vermont’s COVID-19 lockdown at his weekly COVID-19 press conference, and said that a new variant, Omicron BA2, isn’t likely to result in another COVID “wave.”
In a call with White House officials minutes earlier, Gov. Scott said...

Gov. Phil Scott File photo

After many delays, Vermont schools can expect to lift mask guidelines

MONTPELIER- The state will begin lifting masking guidelines for schools with vaccination rates of 80% or higher starting February 28, Gov. Phil Scott announced Tuesday.
“As you know, before the school year began, our guidance for schools was to require masking until 80% of students were...

Gov. Phil Scott File Photo

Despite falling virus numbers, officials continue to urge caution

MONTPELIER- Although the surge in Omicron COVID-19 cases appears to be receding in the Northeast and in Vermont, case counts remain high and state officials are urging Vermonters not to let their guard down.
“Trends in our region are encouraging,” said Gov. Phil Scott at his Tuesday press...

Funds received to improve drinking water systems

VERMONT - Sen. Patrick Leahy and Gov. Phil Scott announced that Vermont will be receiving $63,041,000 in funding for drinking water systems and wastewater treatment as a result of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Biden.
The funds will go into the...

Southern Vermont receives grant for housing and community development

VERMONT - Gov. Phil Scott and the Department of Housing and Community Development announced $3.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funding awards through the Vermont Community Development Program. The funding will support 14 projects in all 14 counties, including affordable home repair...

Agency of Commerce and Community Development Secretary Lindsay Kurrle at Tuesday's COVID-19 briefing.

State identifies first case of Omicron, braces for post-holiday surge

MONTPELIER- Vermont’s first case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant was identified by genomic testing over the weekend, according to Vermont health officials, and by Tuesday there had been three confirmed cases of the variant. The initial specimen identified over the weekend was taken on December 8 ...

Dr. Mark Levine File photo

No omicron variant in Vermont yet, but it is all around the state

MONTPELIER- The Omicron variant has not been identified in Vermont yet, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said during Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, although it has been identified in every state bordering Vermont, as well as in Quebec.
“We’re continuing our genetic sequencing work...