By Holly Ramer And Lisa Rathke
Associated Press
All U.S. adults are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. To register for a vaccine appointment in New Hampshire, please visit vaccines.nh.gov or call 2-1-1. To register for a vaccine appointment in Vermont, please visit healthvermont.gov or call (855) 722-7878.
Here are the latest developments regarding the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic throughout New England:
New HampshireThe New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration is offering low- and moderate-income homeowners the chance to apply for property tax relief as the economic recovery continues from the impact of COVID-19.
The department is accepting applications for its Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program through June 30.
The department distributed more than $866,700 through the program last year, and nearly $45 million in total since the program launched in 2002.
“Although the COVID-19 situation has improved from this time last year, we understand that many face financial challenges,” Lindsey Stepp, department commissioner, said in a statement Friday. “We will work with qualified individuals to make sure they have the option to apply for tax relief.”
Remote access: New Hampshire Democrats are pushing to retain remote public access to legislative committee work.
The Statehouse has been closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic, but those interested in testifying on bills have been able to call in to hearings and to watch committee discussions online. At a news conference Friday, Democratic leaders said they hope the next two-year state budget will including funding to allow such participation to continue.
They called the system used during the pandemic a silver lining that has allowed greater transparency and participation by constituents who might otherwise not have weighed in on important legislation due to distance or disability.
“By any standard, the use of video conferencing technology has been a success. It has allowed many more people to participate in the legislative process and to observe the workings of the Legislature in action,” said House Minority Leader Renny Cushing, D-Hampton. “It really opens up our democracy and we hope this process continues.”
The numbers: Nearly 97,000 people have tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, including 134 cases announced Monday. No new deaths were announced, with the total remaining at 1,315.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire decreased the past two weeks, going from 319 new cases per day on April 24 to 178 new cases per day on Saturday.
VermontThe state of Vermont will be ready to begin providing the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to adolescents between the ages of 12 to 15 within days of its use being authorized by the federal government, officials said Tuesday.
On Monday, federal regulators recommended using the two-dose vaccine in 12- to 15-year-old kids. A federal vaccine advisory committee is expanded to act on the recommendation Wednesday.
The actual vaccinations could begin being administered to adolescents as soon as possible after approval, “certainly this week,” Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine during the briefing.
Meanwhile vaccination clinics are being planned for more than 40 schools and adolescents will be able to get the vaccine at any location that offers the Pfizer vaccine.
There are about 27,000 Vermonters in the 12-15 age group.
To help ensure the state has enough vaccine to meet the demand, Smith said Vermont is is ordering 4,480 doses of vaccine above its regular allotment through a federal program that is reallocating doses from other states that don’t want them.
Vermont is making good progress in vaccinating its population and the state ranks first in the country in a number of categories that measure how many people in states are getting vaccinated.
If the trend continues the state could lift its state of emergency earlier than currently planned, but more needs to be done, Gov. Phil Scott said during the briefing. The state is now aiming to lift restrictions July 4.
“Fortunately we are in a good place and if, and only if, Vermonters step up and get vaccinated we could get out of this sooner than we had thought and hoped for,” Scott said.
In-person board meetings: The St. Johnsbury select board is going to be resuming in-person meetings later this month after holding its meetings remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The board voted unanimously on Monday to resume in-person meetings May 24, although it will keep a remote participation option available for people who are not comfortable attending in person.
“The board and town officials have all been vaccinated so spacing is not as important as it used to be — but we’ll still be maintaining some social distance,” said Board Chairman Kevin Oddy.
The Caledonian-Record reports the five-member board is still working out the details of how it will conduct its meetings.
The move comes as more and more Vermonters are being vaccinated against COVID-19 and the number of new cases in the state has been dropping.
Gov. Phil Scott has set a tentative date of July 4 for when the state can largely remove the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic.
The numbers: On Tuesday the Vermont Health Department reported 52 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, raising the statewide total since the pandemic began to more than 23,600.
There were a total of 14 people hospitalized, including three in intensive care.
The state reported two more COVID-19 fatalities, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to 251.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 72.14 new cases per day on April 25 to 54.71 new cases per day on May 9.
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