WNTK Local News

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has announced the formation of a “re-opening” task force, reports InDepthNH.org.

The group will develop a plan and over-see the state and private-sector’s actions. The goal is to re-open the economy, while also minimizing the impact on public health. The task force’s first meeting will be Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 4 PM. The public can call in at 1-415-655-0001, then by entering the pin: 479 750 965.

According to Sununu, the task force will work hand-in-hand with health officials and stakeholders across all industries to re-open the state in phases.

The total number of COVID-19 cases is currently at 1491, while 15000 residents have been tested.

Only two new COVID-19 cases were reported in Vermont on Tuesday, reports WCAX.

The two cases bring the state to 818, with 40 deaths related to the virus. Tuesday represents another day in which the rise is minuscule compared to past weeks. Since Sunday, there have only been six new cases. So far, 13,111 tests have been conducted. 25 people are being monitored for symptoms, while 817 have completed the monitoring process.

The state’s “stay-at-home” order is still scheduled to last until May 15.

Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire has cancelled all in-person summer programs, reports WCAX.

Due to COVID-19, Dartmouth had cancelled all in-person spring programs with hopes they would be able to re-open by summer, but the college believes that even with proper social distancing, they do not believe the pandemic will be over by June. The programs include in-person classes, residential education experiences, and other summer programs.

All instruction will be done online.

New Hampshire Fish and Game says spring turkey hunting season will open per usual, with precautionary steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19, reports WMUR.

Officials recommend hunting in your local area, and making day trips rather than overnight stays at camps. Hunters are asked to travel from home alone, or only with immediate family members from the same household.

In a news release, officials stated, “Hunters are strongly encouraged to maximize pre-season scouting and be prepared with back-up locations if their desired spot is busy with other outdoor enthusiasts during the spring turkey season.” Hunters should register their birds online. Last season, spring turkey season led to the harvesting of 5092 birds.

Youth Weekend will take place the weekend of Saturday, April 25 while spring hunting will be open for the month of May. 

Vermont Health Officials gave an update on the COVID-19 crisis for Monday, reports WCAX.

As of April 20, 2020, VT has 816 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 38 related deaths. 12,981 tests have currently been conducted. 813 residents have completed the monitoring process, while 28 are still being watched for symptoms.

VT has been approved for federal disaster funds to help the state’s response to the pandemic.

Windsor, Vermont’s Olivia Rockwood has been named the VT Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, reports The Vermont Journal.

The award goes out to the player deemed to be the best player in the state every year. Rockwood led the Windsor High School Yellow Jackets to a 17-3 record during the 2019-2020 season before it was ended due to COVID-19 concerns. The VT Principals Association, which runs high school athletics in the state, decided to award co-and-quad champions in each division which Windsor won in Division III.

She was also named to the Southern VT League Div. B First Team, VBCA Player of the Year, All-State First Team, and Miss Basketball by the Burlington Free Press.

Rockwood will be playing college hoops at Division I University of Maine Black Bears squad on scholarship.

As of Sunday, April 19, 2020 Vermont now has 812 confirmed COVID-19 cases, reports WCAX.

Of the 812 cases, 38 have resulted in death. So far, a total of 12,726 tests have been conducted. 808 citizens have completed the monitoring process, while 25 are still being monitored. Chittenden County has the most cases in the state with 385, while Essex County has the fewest with 2.

The state’s “stay-at-home” order is currently set to last until May 15.

On Saturday, a second shipment of PPE from China arrived in New Hampshire, reports WCVB.

The Boeing jet, carrying 540,000 medical grade masks, landed at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport with Governor Chris Sununu, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, US Representative Chris Pappas, NH businessman Dean Kamen, and Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun on hand. The deal was put together by Kamen, who also oversaw last weekend’s 91,000 pound shipment. NH National Guard members helped unload the masks.

Another shipment is expected by month’s end, with a reported 100,000 medical gowns.

As of Sunday, April 19, 2020 the state of New Hampshire now has 1392 confirmed COVID-19 cases, reports Info NH.

This total is due to the 50 more confirmed cases announced Sunday night by the NH Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS also announced three new coronavirus related deaths, bringing the state’s total to to 41, accounting for 3% of all cases. To this date, 521 people have recovered from the virus, a rate of 37% recovery. Six more citizens have been hospitalized, bringing the total to 198.

52% of all cases are adult, cisgender women, while the remaining are adult, cisgender men.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu announced Thursday that all public schools will continue remote learning through end of the school year, reports WCAX.

Sununu stated that keeping the schools closed was not an easing choice, but that it was a public health decision. In a letter to education officials, he said that school districts will have to create their own grading plans, and urged them to consider grading on a pass/fail scale.

The state currently has 1211 COVID-19 cases, and has seen 34 deaths.