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With this regular feature, the Banner runs down breaking local and regional developments in the coronavirus crisis.

The numbers

According to the Vermont Department of Health, four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Vermont over the past day, raising the total to 981. Two of the new cases were reported in Chittenden County; Addison and Orange counties each had one new case.

In Bennington County, the total stands at 63 cases.

No Vermonters have died of the disease since Friday morning, leaving the total number of deaths at 55.

So far, 33,970 tests have been administered.

Thirty-seven people are being monitored, and 889 have completed monitoring, the state reported. The health department said 873 people have recovered from COVID-19, an increase of eight from Saturday.

Vermont courtrooms to resume hearings

Vermont courthouses will resume hearings Monday after being in a judicial emergency since mid-March amid the coronavirus outbreak. Most hearings have been postponed since then.

When courts resume some of their normal operations, visitors can expect that they will be required to wear masks and that they will be asked basic questions about their health and possible exposure to the coronavirus before being admitted, the Times Argus reported.

Courtroom staff have been instructed to maintain social distancing among the members of the public, said Judge Brian Grearson, Vermont's chief superior judge.

"I think it's going to look different in every courtroom because even if there's a capacity for, let's say, 25, not all of our courtrooms will allow for that," Grearson said.

Delta Dental agrees to credit insured with 1 month of premiums

Gov. Phil Scott and Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Michael Pieciak last week announced the approval of a premium relief plan submitted by Northeast Delta Dental, Vermont's largest provider of dental benefits. In total, $2.89 million in premium relief will be provided to approximately 70,000 Vermonters after the suspension of most dental services due to COVID-19.

"I'm grateful for Northeast Delta Dental's effort to ease the burden on Vermonters as we've had to limit dental services in response to the coronavirus pandemic," Scott said. "Every bit of relief for Vermonters during this difficult time is valuable, so I appreciate DFR's ongoing work with the insurance industry to help save Vermonters money."

The premium relief will generally be equal to one month's premium and will be reflected as a credit on a customer's July premium bill.

DFR is reviewing refund plans submitted by other dental insurers and encourages all dental insurers to determine whether Vermonters have overpaid and promptly file a plan to reduce or refund premiums.


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