MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak connected to recreational hockey and broomball at an indoor ice rink in Montpelier has grown to 43 cases, including cases at seven schools in various counties, seven workplaces, two colleges and two hospitals, Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Friday.

The cases linked to the Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center are not within a single community, and people who played those sports live in multiple counties across the state, he said during the governor's twice-weekly virus briefing. The number of close contacts to the people infected now likely exceeds 240, Levine said.

“We've been kind of referring to it as an outbreak that has tentacles in many areas and that's because of the place of origin of those who were congregating together to engage in these sports in one place in the state,” Levine said. "It's the kind of outbreak you don't want to see."

Vermont reported 28 new coronavirus cases on Friday, its second-highest number of cases since early June, with Levine saying half of the newest cases are associated with three outbreaks, including the one linked to the ice rink.

“This is an important reminder of why we can't become complacent," Republican Gov. Phil Scott said. "We need all Vermonters to think about what you're doing each and every day and take the steps needed to keep safe. Wear your mask, keep 6 feet apart, avoid crowds and follow the travel guidance. These are simple steps that will help us live our lives while still managing the virus.”

In a second outbreak, at least seven positive virus cases have been linked to a wedding held in Cambridge on Oct. 10 attended by 77 people, the Health Department said. A number of out-of-state cases are also related to the event held at Boyden Farm.

“Appropriate precautions were implemented at the facility, including socially distanced seating at the ceremony and during dinner,” said department spokesperson Bennett Truman.

In addition, St. Michael’s College in Colchester announced Thursday that it was going to all remote classes after six positive cases were detected in the latest round of surveillance testing. All the cases were asymptomatic.

In other developments related to the coronavirus:

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VACCINE PREPARATIONS

Vermont has submitted its interim plan to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for distribution of an approved COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available, officials said.

A team has been working on a plan since July, but there are still some unanswered questions from the federal government, Scott said.

“We'll be ready for the vaccine before the vaccine is ready for us,” Levine said.

The state doesn't expect to get enough supplies to vaccinate everyone at first, and allocations will likely be based on a state's population size and infection rates, he said.

“Health care workers who provide direct patient care, first responders plus residents and staff of long-term care facilities are likely be among the first to be vaccinated," he said. ”To start when small amounts of vaccine come into the state, possibly before the end of this year, we plan to reach those priority groups through a mix of vaccine clinics that have proven to work in the past."

Later the state plans to expand access to the vaccine to the greater population when more supplies become available. Most vaccines now being developed require two doses, Levine said.

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HAZARD PAY A second round of hazard pay is available for frontline workers who worked last spring during the beginning of the pandemic.

The program has been expanded from mostly health care workers to more industries, including grocery store, pharmacy and essential child care workers who provided essential services between March 13 through May 15 and were at an elevated risk of COVID-19 exposure, said Vermont Commissioner of Financial Regulation Michael Pieciak. Workers also must have worked at least 68 hours during that time and only employers may apply. Former employees are also eligible.

A total of $22.5 million is available and is expected to go quickly on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will start being accepted on Wednesday, Pieciak said.

The first round distributed approximately $28 million to people in healthcare and human service industries.

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PRISON LOCKDOWN

A Vermont correctional officer has tested positive for the coronavirus virus and as a result the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury is on full lockdown.

The Corrections Department reported Thursday that the officer was last in the facility on Oct. 12.

Contact tracing is underway, and testing of all inmates and staff will begin Monday.