These Massachusetts COVID-19 testing, vaccine sites are closing early due to storm
Updated Feb 01, 2021;
COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites across Massachusetts plan to close early as an intense nor’easter moves into the state.
The storm is expected to pile 5 to 17 inches of snow over Massachusetts between Monday and Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Some parts of the state, particularly in northern Worcester County and Berkshire County, could see as much as 18 inches of snow.
The storm also threatens to throw another wrench in the state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which has lagged behind operations in other states.
Download our mobile app for iOS to get alerts for local breaking news and weather.
At least one UMass Memorial Health Care employee may have been involved in the violence, the health care organization said in a statement Friday. We have been made aware that one or more of our employees may have been involved in the violence that took place at our Nation s Capitol. We strongly condemn such behavior, if true, the statement read.
UMass Memorial did not provide any additional details but said an investigation is underway. Gov. Chris Sununu called Wednesday s riots un-American after Trump supporters forced their way into the Capitol to disrupt the finalization of President-elect Joe Biden s victory.
COVID-19 vaccination site to open at Mercantile Center, for UMass Memorial patients
Cyrus Moulton
WORCESTER UMass Memorial Health Care is setting up a COVID-19 vaccination site at Mercantile Center, adjacent to the COVID-19 testing site.
But UMass Memorial Health Care President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said the site will initially be available only to already-identified patients in the UMass Memorial system, not to the general public.
In other words: Don’t call us, we’ll call you.
“Initially we will be doing the frailest and sickest UMass Memorial patients - they have already been identified by age and comorbidities,” Dickson said in an interview Thursday. “As more vaccines become available, we’ll make it available to the general public . Initially there will be no ability to sign up online.”
Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images
A Boston EMS ambulance crew wheels in a patient to MGH from their ambulance in Boston on April 8, 2020. Hospitals brace for a surge in patients. Boston Globe/Boston Globe via Getty Images
In Massachusetts, many young, healthy medical researchers are rolling up their sleeves to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, at-risk elderly are waiting on the sidelines. According to the state s phased vaccine rollout, seniors are not yet eligible for the shots but everyone employed by a hospital, including those working remotely, can get it.