Vermont reported zero coronavirus hospitalizations Wednesday, according to state data. 

It is the first time the state has reported no coronavirus-related hospitalizations since health officials first started tracking such cases in mid-March, department spokesman Ben Truman told The Washington Post. 

“It’s excellent news,” Truman told the Post. “We’re very fortunate.”

Vermont has reported a total of 971 COVID-19 cases and 54 deaths.

Truman told the Post officials are “cautiously optimistic” about the progress. 

He added that while infections and fatalities are lower in Vermont when compared with other states, “the toll is the same for friends, neighbors and family.” 

Gov. Phil Scott (R) declared a state of emergency on March 13. He has started lifting some of the state's restrictions, allowing select nonessential businesses to reopen at limited capacity. 

Scott said Wednesday that he expects to announce a plan on Friday to raise the limit on social gatherings, as well as lift restrictions on some businesses, WCAX a local CBS-affiliate reported. 

Scott said he expects to announce the state will be able to increase the size of gatherings from 10 people to 25.

“If we do this right and view this as a marathon not a sprint, we will win this race in the end,” he said during a Wednesday briefing.