New England states encouraging COVID vaccination
May 2, 2021
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BOSTON (AP) After an initial surge in vaccinations against COVID-19, the number of people receiving the shots in Massachusetts has been declining for nine days.
The Boston Globe reports the state’s day for peak inoculations came April 22, three days after all adults became eligible for the shots on April 19.
“We’re definitely seeing a decline in the past week or so,” said Dr. Alastair Bell, of Boston Medical Center, where the number of first doses at its South End hospital and five satellite sites in Boston neighborhoods dipped to about 800 a day last week from about 1,500 the previous week.
Chief: Motel housing homeless during virus straining police
April 28, 2021
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BERLIN, Vt. (AP) Criminal activity at a central Vermont motel that is serving as a homeless shelter during the coronavirus pandemic is straining the Berlin Police Department, according to its police chief.
“It doesn’t seem to be lessening, it just seems to be getting worse,” Chief James Pontbriand told the select board during a virtual meeting this week, the Times Argus reported. The Hilltop Inn has been the source of a range of criminal activity, from sex and drug offenses to disputes, with 46 complaints this quarter, compared to 41 last year and 12 the year before that, he said.
Post-exposure quarantine dropped for vaccinated adults
April 27, 2021
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Fully vaccinated Ohioans are no longer required to quarantine if they re exposed to someone with COVID-19, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday, citing increased vaccination figures.
The policy change also means that teens who are vaccinated will be able to participate in sports and other activities even after exposure, the governor said. The change applies to all adults except those in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other group care settings.
“The power of the vaccine allows us to do this,” DeWine said.
The Health Department says 4.6 million people, or four of every 10 people in the state, have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. More than 3.5 million people, or almost one in three people in Ohio, have finished the vaccination process.
Vermonters ages 16-18 can sign up for vaccines Saturday
LISA RATHKE, Associated Press
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Vermont has pushed up the date to Saturday for people ages 16 to 18 to start signing up for COVID-19 vaccine appointments, a few days earlier than originally planned, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday.
“As you know, I ve made getting kids back in school a priority. This step will help give those kids the opportunity to register for Pfizer doses,” the only vaccine they re eligible for, he said during his twice-weekly virus briefing. Registration opens at 10 a.m.
Vaccine eligibility for all Vermonters 16 and older opens Monday. This week the state opened registration to people 30 and older, and as of Friday morning, nearly 18,000 in that age group had made appointments.