Published on April 21, 2021 in Newport/News NEWPORT — The Vermont Department of Corrections says that the Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport is clear of COVID outbreak response and is back to standard modified operations. This full status change is the result of testing conducted Thursday, April 15, in which no incarcerated individuals tested positive for the fifth consecutive time. There are currently zero positive incarcerated cases and three positive staff cases at the facility. One of the positive staff cases was detected in the April 15 testing, and the DOC says contact tracing showed no exposure risk to the incarcerated population. “We are thankful the Vermont Department of Health has cleared us from all outbreak protocols,” said Commissioner Jim Baker. “Our team on the ground at NSCF, under the leadership of Superintendent Scott Martin, our medical staff, and our Rapid Response Team have worked tirelessly since February to get this outbreak under control.”