Vermont tests Rutland prison; no coronavirus cases found
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Department of Corrections said Thursday it has completed testing of inmates and staff at the Rutland prison for the virus that causes COVID-19 and no cases were detected.
The department announced the results of the tests of 117 inmates and 87 staff members of the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility.
Vermont now has completed testing of all inmates and staff at four of the state’s six correctional facilities. Additional tests are planned.
Earlier in the course of the pandemic, 45 inmates from the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans tested positive for the virus. Most of the infected inmates were moved to a special surge site set up at the St. Johnsbury corrections complex until they recovered and could be moved back to St. Albans. Those inmates are now considered to be “in recovery″ after two negative tests for the COVID-19 virus.
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HEALTH CARE SERVICES
The Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in White River Junction is the latest Vermont health care facility to announce plans to resume providing some services as COVID-19 restrictions are eased in the state.
The Vermont VA hospital says it will begin reintroducing some face-to-face services on Monday, June 1. Veterans, family members and others who visit must continue to call prior to visiting the hospital, unless there is a medical emergency.
A number of other Vermont hospitals have begun offering some regular services.
On Friday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott is expected to announce continued plans to reopen the state.
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THE NUMBERS
For the second day in a row, the Vermont Health Department reported Thursday that there are no patients hospitalized in the state who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The state says there are 17 people hospitalized who are being investigated for COVID-19.
The state did report four new positive tests for the coronavirus, up four, bringing the statewide total to almost 975. The state has now reported a total of 55 deaths.
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DENTAL INSURANCE RELIEF
The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation has approved a plan by Northeast Delta Dental, Vermont’s largest provider of dental benefits, to provide premium relief to approximately 70,000 Vermonters after most dental services were suspended due to the pandemic.
The state says the premium relief will generally be equal to one month’s premium and will be reflected as a credit on a customer’s July bill.
Financial Regulation is reviewing refund plans submitted by other dental insurers.