Your Coronavirus Update – Today, Feb. 5, 2021

Photo: Today is Wear Red Day to promote the message that Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death and disability in women.

RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY

Starting next week, COVID-19 vaccines will be available to eligible Rhode Island residents at four CVS Pharmacy locations across the state – East Greenwich, Westerly, Warren and Woonsocket. Two CVS stores will hold a state sponsored vaccine program this weekend. One in Providence on Hope Street and one in Johnston. The limited rollout will include about 3,400 doses total. Appointment bookings will become available as soon as stores receive vaccine shipments. Rhode Island is one of 11 states – California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Appointments are expected to become available for booking on Feb. 9, depending on when stores receive their vaccine shipments. Residents must meet state requirements for eligibility, which at this time is focused on people 75 years and older. The appointments must be scheduled on the CVS website or through the company’s app. People without internet access can call 800-746-7287. No vaccines will be given without an appointment.

Walgreens will begin vaccinating people 75 and older in RI starting Tuesday of next week. There will be 14 different locations. Registration will be at walgreens.com or by calling individual stores – as yet to be announced – beginning on Sunday.

Kirkbrae Country Club is the site of vaccinations for Rhode Islanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 14 members of the community have been lost to COVID-19 – over 740 inoculations were done yesterday.

The Genesis Nursing Home group, with 7 facilities in RI and 2 in MA is under scrutiny for paying $5M to outgoing CEO. Genesis operates these locations in RI: Grand Islander (Middletown)  – Grandview Center (Cumberland)  – Greenville Center (Greenville) – Greenwood Center (Warwick) – Kent Regency (Warwick) – Respiratory and Rehabilitation Center of Rhode Island (Coventry) – Warren Center (Warren).

20% of Central Falls is estimated to have been vaccinated at this time – another clinic is this Saturday for all residents 18 years of age and over and employees only. Individuals must pre-register for an appointment online here: https://www.vaccinateri.org/…/6b009e05-7509-4e4e-81c8…

In Massachusetts, the 25-percent restaurant capacity restriction, put in place after Christmas, would be increased to 40 percent because of recent improvements in COVID-19 data in the state. A 90-minute time restriction for indoor dining remains in place, as does a limit of six people per table.

Southcoast Hospitals has opened 3 clinics for those over 75 – in Fall River, Dartmouth and Wareham.

Newport Fire officials has determined the plastic pop up igloo dining tents are not up to code and they are being removed.

Pooled COVID-19 testing for students and teachers begins at 120 Massachusetts schools.

The Lowell, MA field hospital is now closing.

Worcester State Univ. will begin mass vaccination.

Massachusetts Governor Baker said teachers will be next after the priority group of the elderly.

Stonehill College in MA has gone to remote learning.

Bryant University basketball is now on pause – Salve Regina University classes are also on pause for 2 weeks with a shelter in place order and 30 cases in 7 days.

RI Community — Cases Last 7 Days — Cases Last 7 Days/100K People — Cumulative Cases

East Greenwich — 118 — 899.4 — 1,347

Charlestown — 48 — 613.3 — 413

Burrillville — 98 — 581.5 — 1,508

South Kingstown — 157 — 517.3  — 988

North Smithfield — 64 — 508.7 — 1,105

Middletown — 80 — 503.5 — 869

Smithfield — 108 — 493.2 — 2,262

Central Falls — 95 — 485.5 — 3,880

Newport — 113 — 464.4 — 1,373

Woonsocket — 191 — 457.5 — 4,154

Bristol — 98 — 447.2 — 1,904

Coventry — 154 — 442.3 — 3,076

Cumberland — 154 — 436.7 — 3,154

Pawtucket — 283 — 392.4 — 9,155

West Greenwich — 25 — 391.4 — 427

Cranston — 315 — 386.7 — 10,147

Lincoln — 85 — 386.6 — 2,141

West Warwick — 108 — 372.9 — 2,580

Westerly — 83 — 370.9 — 1,331

Johnston — 109 — 369.9 — 3,737

East Providence — 172 — 361.2 — 4,538

Glocester — 37 — 358.4 — 637

Providence — 627 — 348.6 — 25,459

Warwick — 265 — 327.1 — 6,699

Tiverton — 51 — 325.6 — 1,017

North Providence — 106 — 324.3 — 3,795

Narragansett — 49 — 319.2 — 1,081

Warren — 33 — 314.0 — 978

Hopkinton — 25 — 310.2 — 439

Scituate — 33 — 307.5 — 693

North Kingstown — 73 — 277.3 — 1,801

Barrington — 44 — 274.1 — 1,008

Foster — 12 — 252.9 — 362

Portsmouth — 41 — 238.0 — 966

Richmond — 18 — 232.5 — 260

Exeter — 14 — 214.8 — 407

Little Compton — 4 — 115.1 — 137

Jamestown — 6 — 109.1 — 269

New Shoreham — 0 — 0.0 — 45

RI Business Violators:

Famous Pizza	92 Hartford Pike, Scituate	Compliance Order	2/2/2021
Domino’s Pizza	140 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett	Compliance Order	2/2/2021
Cuisine Delmar	445 Lonsdale Ave., Pawtucket	Compliance Order	2/2/2021

Rhode Island update with Dr. Alexander-Scott

Over 100,000 tests and a low positive percentage rate – as well as over 100,000 vaccinations.

We have treatment for COVID19 now – RI met its original goal and is increasing the goal.

RIslanders are doing a good job social distancing and wearing masks.

No flu – means infection prevention measures are working as flu is being avoided.

Immediate concern is the new strain(s) being identified.

Need to wear high quality mask to prevent transmission. RI is working on bringing more high quality masks into RI. More info will come on this next week.

Ventilation is another focus area. Aim is to have 2 air changes per hour – update next week.

Minimize how long you stay in any one indoor or outdoor place. 1 hour is a general timeframe.

If data indicates we can ease restrictions, even temporarily, we will do it. While we may ease restrictions, they may need to go back again because of the new strains.

Vaccination Campaign: 108,924 doses have been administered in RI. We have focused on most vulnerable but we know there are more.

Last weekend was a unique opportunity that came to RI and we went into action. It was bumpy and it was rough but with almost no notice, we vaccinated 5,000 75 and older people – who would normally have to wait 2 more weeks.

3 types of locations

First – retail pharmacies (CVS & Walgreens) – 75 yrs and up – 14 Walgreens will start next Tuesday – registration Sunday, 7am to 9am – ONLY for those 75+ – Call local Walgreens or go to Walgreens.com. CVS – several sites in RI – Prov, Johnston on Sunday. Schedule this weekend. CVS.com or call local store starting Saturday. More announcements coming soon.

Second – Community clinics run by cities/towns: similar to last weekend. Starting 2/14 – 7,000 doses will begin going to cities/towns 7,000 divided by cities and towns by population.

Third – 5-10 State-run sites – not up and running yet – but coming soon and will be modeled after Testing model.

How to Sign Up – think about it like testing. Many wants to get a test – centralized for state system, other approaches for other ways to get tested. Same with vaccinations. There will also be a phone line for online registering difficulties. You can also make an appointment for someone else, such as a family member. (No state-run sight vaccinations yet available). Those 75 and up, they can sign up mid-February for state run clinics.

People should be prepared to not get an appointment right away – first come, first served the most efficient and quickest way.

RI only getting about 16,000 doses a week right now. 80,000 people in RI 75 and older.

Testing – we have more testing capacity than ever before. Get tested every week. More important because of new strains.

Treatment – if you test positive and if you are 65+ or have underlying health condition, immediately call your health care provider and ask for treatment. If you don’t have one, go to covid.ri.gov/treatment. Great results with early treatment – plenty of supply in RI.

Super Bowl – big day – social gathering size in RI is still just your household. Come up with creative ways to watch the game – keep it small, simple, just in-person with those you live with.

Sect. Pryor – CommerceRI

With improvements we’ve looked at opening up businesses proportionately. Eliminated early closing requirement. This week we have new measures, though we recognize that we may have to pull back with new strains:

Catered events: with professional caterers – 15 to 30 cap. For indoor. For outdoors, 50, but must include event testing. Designated covid safety officer must be assigned. Restaurant rules must be followed – masks, no standing service, distancing, etc.

Weddings: additional flexibility, have a training video, etc. We will allow up to 50 peoople.

Indoor dining: more flexible around 1 household rule. Indoor dining now 2 households. Outdoor dining: to 3 households.

Offices: Work at home requirement has added burden. We encourage all workers and businesses who can work remotely to do so. Enabling 33% of workers to return to offices. But – office leaders need to abide by guidance in the office, while supporting at home options.

Gyms, sports facilities, yoga studios, etc – especially smaller studios: We want you to be able to open.  Moving to 1 person per 125 sq. ft. That’s a 20% improvement. Spacing requirement of 14 feet apart can now be 6 feet. Additionally be new approval process for small gyms and studios, if they are too small for even these restrictions. There will be an appeals process such as testing or air flow, etc.

Indoor recreational businesses – similar improvements to gyms, etc.

Bars – still monitoring, same for now.

PPP – CommerceRI has partners to help you through technical requirements to complete applications. 10 RI banks are accepting first time applicants for PPP program. [email protected] – trying to exceed $2Billion to help small businesses.

Lt. Gov. McKee

FEMA expenses retroactive to 2020, 100% coverage.

Now engaged with municipal leaders to play a significant role in vaccinations.

Q&A:

Q: When you hear about NYT criticism that vaccine is too slow, how do you respond?

A:  First understanding is that total amount is low within itself. No extra stash somewhere. This week coming will be the first week we will have the expanded supply.

Q: 65 and up still on schedule for mid-Feb??

A: More like end of February, though we could be there, depending upon supply received.

Q: High school sports – why can’t we loosen up – what is the science and data behind parents not being able to go and watch sports

A: We do have allowances especially for seniors. Data and science behind is that with sports we are seeing cases that are occurring. Way to allow for sports to occur is to limit spectators. Superintendents will be sent updated recommendations.

Q: Gov. Raimondo has hung you out to dry in the last few weeks – who is now making decisions? Has Raimondo apologized to you for making you carry her water? Is Gov making decision now?

A: I will stand behind governor 180% – no apologies needed – we have a united team here – this is a whole of government approach. We are active with incoming and outgoing Governors together. Rhode Islanders should be assured that that the same approach is continuing forward.

Q: Salve Regina has gone to lockdown – Bryant, too. Are you concerned?

A: I can speak to the tremendous amount of work that the schools and our team have done to have these schools prepared. 5 categories of higher ed resources that they would need to have. We were detailed oriented, and they have done everything they needed to do. We will continue to support these schools.

Q: Should people register with multiple sites?

A: Our goal is to assure that any route you take you will be assigned an appointment.

Q: Pryor – restaurants say they need the bar area open – next weekend is Valentine’s Day – why not open now for that event?

A: We are hearing you and will look at what they can do – stay tuned.

Q: Will existing subcommittee continue? Yes, it will and the new transition team will continue.

Today’s Data – Feb. 4, 2021

Deaths: 11

Tests – 17,850 – Positives – 496 – Percent positive – 2.8% –

Hospitalized – 290 – In ICU – 43 – Ventilated – 23

Deaths in hospital – 5 – New Admissions – 36 – New Discharges – 44

First vaccines: 79,040 – Total fully vaccinated – 2 shots: 29,884

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Johnson & Johnson Announces Submission of Application to the U.S. FDA for Emergency Use Authorization of its Investigational Single-Shot Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Johnson & Johnson intends to distribute vaccine to the U.S. government immediately following authorization, and expects to supply 100 million doses to the U.S. in the first half of 2021

Most cancer survivors face risk of worse Covid-19  because of their underlying conditions

AARP is issuing cautions about posting your COVID-19 vaccine card online and on social media. Typically, such cards contain your name, date of birth, patient number and other information that bad actors can use to steal your identity and commit fraud. That’s especially true if your privacy settings on Facebook, Instagram or other social platforms are not strict, allowing the image to be widely shared. AARP suggests posting a picture of yourself with a vaccination sticker, if you get one.

Adults 20-49 are driving the spread of COVID-19, and vaccinating that group could be key to controlling the pace of infections, a study suggests. Researchers at London’s Imperial College estimated that at least 65% of new U.S. infections originate from that age group

The White House is studying a proposal to send masks to all Americans.

Oregon will soon begin offering vaccinations to as many as 11,000 inmates in the state’s prisons – which could delay health care workers and others in phase 1A from getting the vaccines.

Australia to buy 10 million additional doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Nearly 40% of Americans predict they will be in financial “survival mode” in 2021, after a majority faced financial setbacks in 2020 – in a study published by Fidelity: https://s2.q4cdn.com/997146844/files/doc_downloads/2020/Fidelity-2021-Resolutions-Study-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Scientists estimate that 70 to 85 percent of the population needs to become immune, either by vaccination or natural immunity, before herd immunity can help eradicate the virus. 

Seattle’s Amazon partnered with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health to vaccinate eligible Washingtonians at a Seattle pop-up clinic. As vaccine supply increases, we’re ready to assist health organizations, state and local governments, and the new administration however we can.

In a UK study found that nearly 90% of people who test positive for COVID-19 keep their antibodies (and may be immune) for at least six months.

New Jersey will ease restrictions on indoor dining before Super Bowl Sunday. Health experts warn it may lead to outbreaks.

Organizers of the Tokyo Olympics outlined plans to keep athletes safe, showing their determination to hold the event this summer.

The Astra Zeneca vaccine is showing to protect from the spread of the virus – a critical factor in the future of COVID19.

Rita Wilson says she no longer has COVID-19 antibodies 11 months after getting sick

Local woman helps hundreds of seniors through tricky registration process for COVID-19 vaccinations