Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Human Services Secretary Mike Smith and Public Safety Commissioner Mike Schirling today again tested negative for COVID-19. As their last exposure was 7 days ago, on Friday, January 15, they are no longer in quarantine. There is no change in status for Governor Scott, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, M.D., or Financial Regulation Commissioner Mike Pieciak, whose last exposure was Tuesday, January 19. None are experiencing symptoms and will continue to quarantine. They will be tested again on Tuesday, January 26.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health is scheduling vaccinations for those 75 and older starting Monday. While they expect some bottlenecks in the first few days of registration, (Vermonters age 75 and older) WILL be able to get an appointment during the weeks they are scheduling. The VDH also reported today that there were 174 new cases of COVID-19 and one more death for a statewide total of 169.

Vermont Business Magazine In large clinical trial conducted worldwide, full dose anti-coagulation (blood thinner) treatments given to moderately ill patients hospitalized for COVID-19 reduced the requirement of vital organ support—such as the need for ventilation. A trend in possible reduction of mortality was also observed and is being further studied. With large numbers of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization, these outcomes could also help reduce the overload on intensive care units around the world. Dr Mary Cushman, at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, is a lead investigator on one aspect of the trial.

by Jack Hoffman, Public Assets Institute Federal stimulus funds clearly have been a godsend for Vermont and other states. Through the first round of relief—direct payments to state government, supplemental unemployment benefits, or aid to businesses—more than $5 billion flowed into Vermont to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to offset some of the economic damage it has caused.

Vermont Business Magazine iSun, Inc (NASDAQ:ISUN), formerly The Peck Company Holdings, Inc, a leading commercial solar engineering, procurement and construction company and iSun Energy LLC, a provider of innovative solar power, electric mobility and smart city solutions for government, commercial, retail, academic and data-center projects, today announced that they have closed on the acquisition of iSun Energy LLC, announced on January 5, 2021.

Vermont Business Magazine In December, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the US Small Business Administration partnered with the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and US Commercial Service to host a delegation representing Vermont’s aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors at a reinvented 100 percent virtual edition of the 2020 Aerospace Innovation Forum by Aéro Montréal, with the theme of “Smart Travelling Rethought.”

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont House Committee on Appropriations is seeking public input on the Governor’s Recommended FY 2021 Budget Adjustment and will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 25, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (1:30 p.m.) via videoconferencing.

Vermont Business Magazine The St Albans Town Selectboard voted unanimously to mail every registered voter in the Town of St Albans their ballot for Town Meeting Day 2021. H48, which was signed into law by Governor Scott on January 19, 2021, gives each municipality the ability to vote by mail if they so choose.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health today is reporting 101 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths for a statewide total of 168. Local and national officials, however, are suggesting that the third wave of the pandemic has peaked just as vaccine doses get distributed. Also, those state officials, including Governor Scott, who were possibly exposed to COVID-19 at a press conference on Tuesday have all tested negative. They will be tested again following a full seven days of quarantine. The press briefing Friday will be held remotely.

Vermont Business Magazine There is no change in status for Governor Phil Scott, who tested negative Wednesday. He continues to work while in quarantine and will be tested again on Tuesday, January 26. Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith and Public Safety Commissioner Mike Schirling – who were all tested yesterday – have tested negative for COVID-19. Smith and Schirling, whose last exposure was on January 15, will take their day 7 test tomorrow.

Vermont Business Magazine As the United States struggles to control record-breaking increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, the roll-out of two approved vaccines offers tremendous hope for saving lives and curbing the pandemic. To achieve success, however, experts estimate that at least 70 to 90 percent of the population must be inoculated to achieve herd immunity, but how can we ensure folks will voluntarily receive a vaccine?

Vermont Business Magazine Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) has received the Vermont Prevention Center of Excellence’s Grant. The grant, which totals $450,000, tackles two components of prevention: the promotion of healthy lifestyles and norms that reduce the risks associated with the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs and the reduction of the impact of those at higher-than-average risk for substance misuse. This includes individuals currently experiencing problems related to use.