Vermont must be doing something right – for the first time since March 13, the state reported no new coronavirus cases and no deaths.
New cases have been in sharp decline for the past few weeks, Fox News reported, and Vermont already has started taking cautious steps at reopening the state.
Vemont Gov. Phil Scott announced a new test initiative aimed at increasing tests to 1,000 per day. The state had been averaging 300-400 tests per day.
Scott also announced a five-point plan to start reopening the state, which includes allowing farmer's markets to reopen, and construction and property management workers and municipal clerks to return to work, with no more than two at a time in the workplaces and full practice of social distancing and other protective measures, WWLP reported.
Scott left his "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order largely in effect until May 15.
He hailed the finding of no new cases as "great news," but cautioned, "One day doesn't create a trend, and we have to look at the trend lines to see where we're going."
Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said increased testing will target long-term care and group-living facilities, healthcare providers, correctional institutions, child care workers and those already in 14-day quarantines.
Levine said, "As our testing continues to expand, we will use the strategies to ease some of the restrictions Vermonters have had to endure over the last few months," the Associated Press reported.
Meanwhile, the president of the Univesity of Vermont, Suresh Garimella, said he believes students at the Burlington school "will be able to return to in-person status" by fall.
"It is all but certain that cultural and behavioral shifts will be required as we navigate a world changed by COVID-19," his letter said.
"The bottom line is that ongoing education is critical, not just on an individual level, but to our state, nation, and society as a whole."
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