University of Vermont Medical Center Emergency Room Nurse Derek Laferriere demonstrates part of the screening procedure at a drive-up testing site for the coronavirus at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction on March 18, 2020. The National Guard is building a “surge” facility at the Expo. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger

VTDigger is posting regular updates on the coronavirus in Vermont on this page. You can also subscribe here for regular email updates on the coronavirus. If you have any questions, thoughts or updates on how Vermont is responding to COVID-19, contact us at coronavirus@vtdigger.org

The state’s modeling of the coronavirus caseload in Vermont predicts  that cases will peak in mid-April to early May, in a “likely scenario,” but that existing medical supplies and space may still be stretched beyond their current capacity. See VTDigger’s story

Burlington will be taking down basketball hoops, and closing tennis courts, dog parks, shelters and playgrounds to ensure social distancing, and might start enforcement measures. It is also planning on making some streets biker-, pedestrian- and local-traffic-only. See VTDigger’s story

The Vermont National Guard is building two new medical “surge” sites, adding an additional 550 beds as hospitals prepare for an influx of patients with COVID-19. The new facilities are at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction and in Rutland County. See VTDigger’s story

The Brattleboro Retreat won’t accept out-of-state inpatients until further notice to reduce bed counts during the coronavirus crisis. The Retreat’s president said moving psychiatric patients out of hospital emergency departments will free up space for COVID-19 patients. See VTDigger’s story

Many Plainfield residents are opposed to the state’s plan to house vulnerable people recovering from COVID-19 at Goddard College. Residents say they are worried about the virus spreading as well as the security of the town. See VTDigger’s story

Other Headlines

Unemployment claims 36 times higher than last year
Confirmed COVID-19 cases double to 14 at Birchwood Terrace nursing home
Ordering takeout is probably safe during COVID-19, experts say, but take precautions

Columns & Commentaries

Margolis: Retaining our rights during ‘unusual circumstances’
Ted Cody: Health care in Vermont limited by economy, not government regulations
Edward McMahon: Nonprofits facing existential crisis
Heather Furman: The healing properties of nature

Cate Chant is a news editor at VTDigger. Her professional life has included various aspects of publishing, including graphic arts, writing and editing. She has lived off and on in Vermont; her latest return...

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