WNTK Local News

WCAX has given a Vermont coronavirus update for the date of Monday, April 13, 2020.

As of today, VT health officials have reported 748 COVID-19 positive tests, with 28 deaths related to the outbreak. So far, nearly 10,370 tests have been performed across VT. 38 people are currently being monitored for symptoms, and 793 VT residents have completed the monitoring process. Chittenden County tops the state with 372 positive tests, while Essex County has seen the least with only one.

The VT Department of Health and Human Services can be reached for any questions regarding the virus at 802-863-7240.

Vermont officials are warning citizens to beware for ticks, reports WCAX.

While peak season for ticks are more than a month away, ticks have begun popping up throughout the region. Officials say to keep away from tall grass and bushy areas when possible, while wearing long pants and long sleeves when venturing into forested areas.

VT Fish and Wildlife remind citizens to check themselves and their pets for ticks when returning for walks outside.

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in Vermont, reports WCAX.

As of Sunday night, VT has reported 727 coronavirus cases in the state, with 27 deaths related to the epidemic. 9841 tests have been conducted in the state. 39 citizens are currently being monitored, while 786 people have completed the monitoring process.

The “stay-at-home” order in VT has been extended by Governor Phil Scott to May 15, with the potential to extend farther.

Positive COVID-19 tests in New Hampshire have now risen to 985, reports WMUR.

On Sunday, NH Health Officials announced 57 new positive cases, along with six new hospitalizations related to the virus. Of the new cases, 65% identify as women, and 35% identify as male, states the Department of Health and Human Services.

Nine of the new cases came with no identifying risk factors, pointing towards community spread of the disease.

New Hampshire State Health Officials state that social distancing may be working but too early to tell, reports WMUR.

On Thursday, NH State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said it is possible COVID-19’s spread rate may be slowing, but it is too early to tell. He preached that it is important to continue social distancing to avoid multiple outbreaks. Chan believes the peak of infection rates could be coming in the next few weeks.

At the press conference, 31 more coronavirus positive tests were announced, bringing the state total to 819. Three more deaths were reported, and Chan stated that half of the COVID-19 related deaths in the last week have been from long-term care facilities.

NH is currently conductiong around 400 COVID-19 tests per day.

The Windsor, New Hampshire man shot by police early Sunday morning has been admitted to the state’s psychiatric hospital, reports The Concord Monitor.

22-year-old Dylan Stahley was armed in Concord’s White Park and refused to comply with officer’s demands to drop his weapon, leading to him being shot. He was transported to Concord Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. He was due to be medically released on Tuesday, but was ordered to stay and await a bed at New Hampshire Hospital for involuntary emergency admission. Thursday, a bed became available and he was transported to the psychiatric facility.

Stahley was admitted last year to the same facility, and has a history of mental illness. He currently faces charges of burglary, reckless conduct, and being a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon.

The Windsor Central Unified School District Board have made a decision on an interim superintendent, reports Mountain Times.

Following an executive session earlier this week, the board came to a unanimous (16-0) vote giving Board Chair Bryce Sammel authorization to negotiate with Sherry Sousa for the position. The position was left open by the resignation of former superintendent Mary Beth Banios. Sousa served as director of instructional support services.

The session was held on the Zoom digital platform, allowing over 30 citizens to attend while practicing social distancing.

Sousa will take over when Banios’ contract ends on June 30, 2020.

Wednesday’s COVID-19 update for Vermont, via WCAX.

As of now, VT health officials have reported a total of 605 positive tests in the state, with 23 coronavirus related deaths. VT has conducted approximately 7750 tests to date. 48 people are currently being monitored for symptoms, and 773 have completed the monitoring process.

VT officials are encouraging the use of facial masks in public, even for citizens not exhibiting symptoms in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, although they stress that medical-grade masks should be reserved for healthcare personnel.

New Hampshire sees number of COVID-19 cases rise to 788 Wednesday, reports WMUR.

According to Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette, Wednesday saw 41 new positive tests in the state. At this time, 118 people have been hospitalized. Currently, there have been 18 COVID-19 related deaths in the state.

Governor Chris Sununu states that the slow in new positive cases in the past days can be seen as a positive sign, although it is too soon to know if that means the spread is slowing.

According to state health officials, ten recent COVID-19 related deaths in New Hampshire occurred long-term care or nursing homes, reports WMUR.

Outbreaks at three facilities throughout the state have led to staff and residents being affected. 37 residents and 13 staff at Hanover Hill Healthcare in Manchester have tested positive, leading to four deaths. Strangely, the outbreak is reportedly contained to one floor. The Huntington, an assisted living facility in Nashua, has seen 19 residents and 11 staff members contract the virus, with four deaths. Crotched Mountain has seen three residents and 11 staff members test positive, with one death. Cases are not limited to these facilities, as 10 other sites have COVID-19 positive patients.

Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Lori Shibinette stated that, “We’re not going to report on all of those isolated incidences, but if those facilities start to experience something similar to an outbreak, we will work with them, as we have done with the three facilities that I just named, to do public releases and be very transparent with their communities.”