Source: Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) newsletter The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is writing to provide an update on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts. As of this afternoon, 66,778 people have received one dose of vaccine. A total of 22,983 people have received two doses of vaccine. See the data. Rhode Island is close to the national average […]
Coronavirus Disease
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Rep. O’Brien commends lifting of restaurant curfew; says it’s time to open bar areas as well
Rep. William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) is commending the lifting of the restaurant curfew calling it the right decision for Rhode Island’s struggling small businesses. Effective Sunday, January 31, the early closure advisory in the state will be lifted, meaning restaurants and other establishments will no longer need to close at 10 pm […]
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Newport, Middletown to open joint vaccination site in Feb., vaccines for residents 75+ to begin next week (Updated)
This story was originally published at 4:50 pm on January 28. It has been updated at the bottom with an update on a pre-registration portal for the City of Newport. The COVID-19 vaccine is coming to Newport and Middletown – next week for those residents 75 years and older and in February to a regional […]
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Plan announced for next phase of COVID-19 vaccine administration
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) announced a plan today for the next phase of the State’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign. RIDOH says that the plan incorporates national public health guidance and local advisory committee input, making the vaccine available to Rhode Islanders over the coming months based on age, geography, and health status. To […]
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LIVE ON WUN: RIDOH’s weekly COVID-19 update (Jan. 28 at 1 pm)
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will hold a press conference on Thursday to update reporters on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 response. Watch the press briefing live as it happens below, or anytime afterward.
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Former Pawsox Manager Ron Johnson dies of COVID-19
Former Pawtucket Red Sox Manager and Boston Red Sox first base coach, Ron Johnson, has died of complications from COVID-19 in Tennessee, according to the Virginia-Pilot. The newspaper said family sources confirmed his death. Johnson, 64, was a former major league first baseman and popular minor league manager with a career record of 1,752 wins […]
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City of Newport issues call for volunteers to assist in COVID-19 vaccination
As COVID-19 vaccination sites continue to roll out across the country, the City of Newport has issued a call for volunteers to help Newport get vaccinated. A press release from the City of Newport states that the Newport Emergency Management Agency is currently seeking volunteers to work at a potential Medical Emergency Distribution System Point of […]
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Rep. Ruggiero to host an online community forum with RIDOH’s Dr. Chan on Friday
Rep. Deborah Ruggiero (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) is hosting an online community conversation on Friday on the vaccine rollout with Rhode Island Department of Health Consulting Medical Director Dr. Philip Chan. The event will take place on Zoom Friday, Jan. 29, from 11:30 p.m. to noon. To register and receive a link to the meeting, visit https://forms.gle/YPpEdB5qAk8fvKp49. […]
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RIDOH provides COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) provided the following COVID-19 Vaccination Update via email on Friday. Rhode Island COVID-19 Vaccination Update The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is writing to provide an update on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccine efforts. As of this afternoon, 52,925 people have received one dose of vaccine. A total of 13,145 people have received two doses of […]
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LIVE ON WUN: Newport City Council COVID-19 Status Update (Jan. 21 at 4:30 pm)
Newport City Council will host a virtual workshop on Thursday, January 21 at 4:30 pm to receive a COVID-19 update from City Manager Joe Nicholson. This is a What’s Up Newp broadcast. To participate in or watch the official meetings, call 1-877-853-5247 or join via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95878452956.
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New COVID-19 rapid testing site opening in Newport
Newport area residents will soon have another option to secure a rapid COVID-19 test, according to the City of Newport. The City of Newport shared in a press release this afternoon that they have been informed that beginning Tuesday, January 26, the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island National Guard, will be opening […]
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LIVE ON WUN: RIDOH to provide weekly COVID-19 update (Jan. 21 at 1 pm)
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will hold a briefing on Thursday afternoon at 1 pm to update the press on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 response.
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RIDOH provides an update on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccination effort
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) held a briefing via Zoom this morning to update the press on Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccination effort. Tricia Washburn Chief, Center for Preventive Services, RIDOH Co-Lead, COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Workgroup, reported that as of 9 am this morning that 51,220 doses of the vaccine have been administered (41,997 […]
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New AARP analysis shows the rate of COVID-19 deaths and cases in nursing homes has skyrocketed
The latest release of AARP’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Dashboard depicts a worsening crisis from coast to coast, including Rhode Island. In the four-week period ending December 20, the rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths in nursing homes have roughly quadrupled. From November 23 to December 20, Rhode Island nursing homes had: 15.7 COVID-19 cases per 100 residents, […]
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LIVE ON WUN: Newport City Council COVID-19 Update (Jan. 14 at 4:30 pm)
Newport City Council will host a workshop at 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 14 to receive a COVID-19 crisis update from City Manager Joe Nicholson.
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Governor: Current restrictions/guidance will remain in place until at least mid-February
Governor Gina Raimondo today announced during a COVID-19 Press Briefing the current restrictions, those that began on December 21, will remain in place until at least mid-February. Governor Raimondo said that she and the Interscholastic League would be making an announcement next week specifically to allowing kids to play sports again in the near future. […]
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LIVE ON WUN: Governor Raimondo’s weekly COVID-19 Press Briefing (Jan. 13 at 1 pm)
Governor Gina Raimondo will host a press briefing at 1 pm on Wednesday, January 13 to provide an update on COVID-19 in Rhode Island. The Governor will be joined by Lt. Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health.
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AARP calls on Governor Raimondo to prioritize Rhode Islanders 50 and older for COVID vaccine and increase COVID vaccination transparency
The AARP in Rhode Island is asking the state to prioritize residents over the age of 50 to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, giving greater weight to not only those in extended care facilities, but also those receiving long-term support in their homes. Additionally, the association is calling for more transparency, urging the state to consistently post […]
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Feds reopening Paycheck Protection Program for thousands of small businesses on Jan. 11
Local businesses next week will be able to apply for funds under the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which is reopening January 11, according to a posting on the local Small Business Administration website. The program, according to the announcement, will be open to new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. The effort, according to the […]
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LIVE ON WUN: Governor Raimondo’s weekly COVID-19 press briefing postponed to next week
Governor Raimondo will host a press briefing at 1 pm on Friday, January 8 to provide an update on COVID-19 in Rhode Island. This press briefing was previously scheduled for Thursday, January 7 at 1 pm. It was rescheduled because Governor Raimondo is quarantining for the second time in less than a month following close […]
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LIVE ON WUN: Newport City Council Covid-19 Status Update (Jan. 7 at 4:30 pm)
Newport City Council will host a workshop on Thursday, January 7 at 4:30 pm for the purpose of receiving a COVID-19 Crisis Update from City Manager Joe Nicholson. The meeting will be held virtually and is open to the public. Telephone access is available by dialing 1-877-853-5247. Members of the public may also join the […]
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RIDOH, RIDBR reminds Rhode Islanders to celebrate safely this New Year’s Eve
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) today issued a press release reminding all businesses, customers, and residents about the need to follow Rhode Island’s COVID-19 health regulations this New Year’s Eve. “While we’re all looking forward to the start of a new year, COVID-19 is […]
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Restore RI Small Business Grant Program exceeds the $50M Mark
Governor Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Commerce today announced that more than 4,100 Rhode Island small businesses have received Restore Rhode Island grants totaling more than $51 million in awards. Total payments by the program are therefore exceeding the $50 million goal laid out when the program was announced, Rhode Island Commerce confirmed in a […]
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Edward King House to serve as COVID-19 Rapid Test Site
Beginning on Thursday, January 7, 2021, the Edward King House Senior Center will serve as RIDOH/RI National Guard COVID-19 Rapid Test Site. Free Rapid BinaxNOW Tests will be given on Thursdays and Fridays from 12pm to 4pm at the Edward King House located on 35 King Street in Newport for the month of January. According […]
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Guest View: CDC – 2020 in Review
The following is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) In 2020 CDC worked around the clock – and around the globe – to protect Americans from health threats. While the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the news, a number of other public health and scientific advancements are worth highlighting. “This has been a […]