The state of Vermont saw another day of high COVID-19 cases Friday, with 505 new cases.There were 591 cases on Thursday.Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine attributed many of the cases to Halloween parties. “That doesn’t mean it’s all Halloween-related, but certainly when you’ve already had a certain amount of transmission occurring in communities, then this happens,” he said.The rise in cases is alarming to many of the state’s top lawmakers, including the house speaker and senate pro tempore. They spoke out Thursday, calling on Gov. Phil Scott to do more to stop the spread. “Business owners, health care providers, educators, students, parents… People are desperate for tools that work to mitigate this pandemic,” said Rep. Jill Krowinski.The Vermont State Employees Association wants the governor to extend the period eligible state employees can work remotely until the new year.The organization’s communications director said in a statement, “In addition to being scared for their own health and their family’s health, a lot of VSEA members who are back at the worksite are not comfortable with the way the governor’s return to work directive is being managed, or, in some cases, mismanaged.”Gov. Phil Scott issued a statement to NBC5 News on Friday, saying the administration expects case counts to be elevated and is calling on Vermonters to make smart choices in the coming weeks, including getting vaccinated and wearing masks indoors to prevent putting more stress on the state’s limited number of ICU beds.The governor said, in part, “Both state efforts to support the healthcare system and individual efforts to prevent spread to at-risk Vermonters are important measures that can have an impact on our hospitalization levels. As we have throughout the pandemic, we’ll always consider new tools and recommendations, but this is our focus at this time.” Levine echoed the governor’s sentiments and asked Vermonters to do the right thing and get the shot.Click here to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.The House speaker and Senate pro tem requested a meeting Friday with Gov. Scott to ask that he change course and issue more mandates to help stop the spread of the virus.The meeting was not held Friday, but NBC5 News was told it’s expected to happen on Monday.Levine told NBC5 that the state is expected to issue new Thanksgiving gathering guidance at the governor’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
The state of Vermont saw another day of high COVID-19 cases Friday, with 505 new cases.
There were 591 cases on Thursday.
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Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine attributed many of the cases to Halloween parties.
“That doesn’t mean it’s all Halloween-related, but certainly when you’ve already had a certain amount of transmission occurring in communities, then this happens,” he said.
The rise in cases is alarming to many of the state’s top lawmakers, including the house speaker and senate pro tempore.
They spoke out Thursday, calling on Gov. Phil Scott to do more to stop the spread.
“Business owners, health care providers, educators, students, parents… People are desperate for tools that work to mitigate this pandemic,” said Rep. Jill Krowinski.
The Vermont State Employees Association wants the governor to extend the period eligible state employees can work remotely until the new year.
The organization’s communications director said in a statement, “In addition to being scared for their own health and their family’s health, a lot of VSEA members who are back at the worksite are not comfortable with the way the governor’s return to work directive is being managed, or, in some cases, mismanaged.”
Gov. Phil Scott issued a statement to NBC5 News on Friday, saying the administration expects case counts to be elevated and is calling on Vermonters to make smart choices in the coming weeks, including getting vaccinated and wearing masks indoors to prevent putting more stress on the state’s limited number of ICU beds.
The governor said, in part, “Both state efforts to support the healthcare system and individual efforts to prevent spread to at-risk Vermonters are important measures that can have an impact on our hospitalization levels. As we have throughout the pandemic, we’ll always consider new tools and recommendations, but this is our focus at this time.”
Levine echoed the governor’s sentiments and asked Vermonters to do the right thing and get the shot.
Click here to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine.
The House speaker and Senate pro tem requested a meeting Friday with Gov. Scott to ask that he change course and issue more mandates to help stop the spread of the virus.
The meeting was not held Friday, but NBC5 News was told it’s expected to happen on Monday.
Levine told NBC5 that the state is expected to issue new Thanksgiving gathering guidance at the governor’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
