Here is the COVID-19 news for Saturday, April 11, in the Upper Valley:
Vermont health officials announced 32 newly identified cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total in Vermont to 711.
There was one new case identified in Windsor County, bringing the total there to 25. There were no new cases in Orange County, where five residents have so far tested positive for the virus.
Officials also announced one new death in the state, bringing the total deaths due to the virus to 25. There have so far been two deaths in Windsor County residents and none yet in Orange County.
As of Saturday morning, 32 people in Vermont were hospitalized with the virus with another 45 hospitalized with cases under investigation.
New Hampshire on Saturday evening reported 45 new positive test results, raising the statewide total to 929. Five of the new cases were in Strafford County, with no new cases in Grafton County.
New Hampshire also reported one new death, a woman in Rockingham County, bringing the toll to 23.
Vermont Agriculture Secretary Anson Tebbetts, in a Friday memo, said the state is still not allowing farmers markets to operate, but that it was working to “allow some form of a farmers market in the very near future.”
The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, however, said in a Friday web post that it believes farmers markets could operate safely if a list of procedures are followed, including encouraging preordering and prepaying, suspending music and seating for the consumption of prepared foods, having produce prebagged, having special hours for people at high risk of serious symptoms from COVID-19, holding markets outdoors, having special hand-washing and sanitizing stations, and ensuring vendors use masks and gloves.
Though farmers markets aren’t operating, local farms continue to sell produce directly to customers through farm stands, online food sales, phone orders, curbside pickup and delivery, all while practicing social distancing, Tebbetts said in his memo.
A state shooting range in Hartland won’t open until May 16 due to the extension of Gov. Phil Scott’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department said Friday that it will post updates on the schedule of events on its website. The Hammond Cove Shooting Range is scheduled to open Saturday, May 16, at 10 a.m.
Shooters are urged to review the shooting range rules on the department’s website before using the facility.
— Staff and wire reports