Anna Nagurney, UMass Amherst The blood supply in the U.S. is now at its lowest level in over a decade. Many of the nation’s blood centers currently have only a one-day supply of some blood types in inventory. This is dangerous because blood transfusions are needed for many surgeries. Blood is also used in the […]
Coronavirus Disease
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Watch: Governor McKee, RIDOH host COVID-19 briefing on February 1
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Interim Director Dr. James McDonald hosted a COVID-19 briefing today at 2:15 pm.
Posted inCOVID-19, News
United Nurses and Allied Professionals launches campaign urging Rhode Islanders to get vaccinated and boosted
The United Nurses and Allied Professionals, a union representing more than 7,000 nurses and health professionals, today launched a campaign asking Rhode Islanders to consider getting vaccinated and/or boosted if they have not already. The campaign features video interviews with nurses who have worked on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19, News
500,000 COVID-19 At-Home Rapid Tests to be distributed to cities, towns, and community orgs
Governor Dan McKee today announced that Rhode Island has received and will distribute an additional 500,000 COVID-19 at-home rapid tests, bringing the total tests distributed to 1 million in just over a month. “Our whole of government COVID response team is focused on making it more convenient for Rhode Islanders to get tested when they […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Governor McKee announces Department of Health Transition Support Team
Governor Dan McKee today announced a team to support the transition at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) while the search continues for a permanent director. On January 13, it was announced that Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott would be resigning as the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “Our Administration has moved quickly to put an experienced […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19, News
Governor McKee, Department of Health will host COVID-19 Briefing on Thursday
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health will host a COVID-19 briefing on Thursday afternoon at 2 pm. Update – January 27: The Governor’s office announced the following on Thursday morning. Governor McKee, Dr. McDonald to Visit At-Home Test Kit Delivery in East Providence, Provide COVID-19 Update Earlier this morning, Governor Dan McKee announced […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Tiverton Public Library to host COVID vaccination clinic on January 29
Tiverton Public Library recently announced that it will host a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccination clinic on Saturday, January 29. The clinic is open 10 am-12 pm for individuals ages 5-11 and 10 am-3 pm for individuals ages 12 and up (boosters available). Pre-registration is required. If you have already received a COVID-19 vaccination, Tiverton Public Library asks […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19
Seven community based COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held across the state on Saturday
Governor Dan McKee’s office and administration today announced the community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, January 15. Community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be held Saturday, January 15 in Central Falls, Lincoln, Newport, Warwick, Wakefield, and Cranston. Registration is recommended for these clinics. To register, visit C19VaccineRI.org and click “Upcoming Community Vaccination Clinics.” In addition, the COVID-19 vaccine is available at state […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19
Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation on Friday
Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano joins What’sUpNewp for a live virtual video conversation at noon on Friday, January 14. We’ll speak to Mayor Napolitano about how COVID is impacting city services, expectations for popular events, including the cherished St. Patrick’s Day Parade. We’ll also speak to the Mayor about budget talks with the school department, progress […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinic to be held at Raytheon on Friday
Governor McKee’s office today announced the community-based COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, January 14. Raytheon in Portsmouth will serve as one of the six community-based clinics, offering the Pfizer vaccine for those 12 and older from 4 pm to 7 pm. Community based COVID-19 vaccination clinics will also be held on Friday in Providence, North Kingstown, […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
FEMA Medical Team will support hospital staffing needs in Rhode Island
Governor Dan McKee today issued the following statement on the announcement by President Joe Biden that Rhode Island has secured and will receive FEMA emergency medical personnel to support hospital staffing needs. “We promised Rhode Islanders that we would pursue every resource to alleviate stress on our hospital system and support critical staffing needs. Yesterday, […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Governor McKee, RI Department of Health hosts COVID-19 briefing; announces new initiatives to support hospital staffing capacity issues
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH hosted a COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday at 10:30 am at the Rhode Island State House. Expected topics were to include an update on hospital staffing supports and testing and vaccination capacity. Watch the briefing below. Governor McKee’s office issued the following press release […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Yale New Haven medical director believes Omicron wave will pass by March
The Chief Medical Officer for Yale New Haven’s Lawrence & Memorial and Westerly Hospitals said today that he is “hopeful” the latest COVID wave passes by March. Dr. Oliver Mayorga, appearing on WBLQ radio’s Morning Show with Frank Prosnitz, spoke about a wide range of COVID related issues, including hospital staff shortages, any anticipated future […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Pfizer booster doses now available at 5 months after primary series, additional primary dose for certain immunocompromised children
In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rhode Island is now making Pfizer booster doses available to people who completed a primary series of Pfizer vaccine five months ago. Previously, people who completed a primary series of Pfizer vaccine needed to wait at least six months. The booster interval recommendations for […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Governor McKee, RI Department of Health to host COVID-19 Briefing on Thursday
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH will hold a COVID-19 briefing at the Monsignor Gadoury Catholic Regional School in Woonsocket on Thursday at 2 pm. Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, North Smithfield Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski, and Marc R. Pappas, Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency Director, will also be on hand […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Visitors to Newport Mansions will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination beginning January 3
The Preservation Society of Newport County today announced that it will require all visitors to the Newport Mansions ages 5 and older to provide proof of vaccination against COVID beginning Monday, January 3. Visitors who purchase tickets or memberships onsite will be asked to provide proof of vaccination at the time of purchase. For those already holding […]
Posted inCity & Government, COVID-19
Total COVID-19 fatalities in Rhode Island surpasses 3,000
Governor Dan McKee issued the following statement marking the 3,000th Rhode Island death from COVID-19. “Today, Rhode Island is witnessing a heartbreaking milestone in the State’s ongoing fight against the COVID-19 pandemic: 3,000 Rhode Islanders have lost their lives due to this virus. We’ve lost 3,000 mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandparents, friends, and […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
RIDOH: Rapid testing and access to COVID-19 Vaccine expanded in advance of the holidays
In advance of holiday gatherings over the next two weeks, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that they are expanding access to rapid testing and to COVID-19 booster doses and primary series vaccine. The following information was provided by RIDOH today; Testing A test site will open today […]
Posted inCity & Government, News
Indoor masking, proof of vaccination mandates begin in Rhode Island today
Last week, Governor Dan McKee announced several temporary measures to bring additional layers of mitigation during the holidays when more time is spent gathering indoors. The measures, which begin today, fall into three categories and focus on both masking and proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination includes screenshots or printouts from the State’s vaccine record […]
Posted inCOVID-19
Video: Governor McKee, RIDOH announce actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced “a comprehensive set of actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases and alleviate pressure on our hospital system while at the same time keeping schools open for in-person learning and preventing economic disruptions to small businesses”. Press Release Governor McKee’s office released […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Governor McKee, RIDOH to announce ‘Comprehensive Actions’ to address the increase in COVID-19 Cases on Wednesday
Governor Dan McKee and Rhode Island Department of Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH today announced that they will announce a comprehensive set of actions to address an increase in COVID-19 cases and alleviate pressure on our hospital system while at the same time keeping schools open for in-person learning and preventing economic disruptions to small businesses. The press briefing […]
Posted inCOVID-19, Environment & Health, News
Rhode Island’s first case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant has been identified
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that Rhode Island’s first case of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant (variant B.1.1.529) has been identified. The case was identified through the ongoing genomic surveillance program coordinated by RIDOH’s State Health Laboratories. Governor Mckee’s office says in a press release that […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
RIDOH: State transitioning to community located COVID-19 vaccination sites
A press release from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) today announced that Rhode Island will be running approximately 100 COVID-19 vaccination clinics in settings such as schools, churches, senior centers, and many other community sites over the next month. RIDOH says that the decision is in response to the public request for COVID-19 vaccination […]
Posted inNews
2022 Newport Winter Festival canceled due to COVID-19 concerns
For the second year in a row, the Newport Winter Festival has been canceled due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The annual event, which would have been celebrating its 33rd Anniversary in 2022, was scheduled to take place in February. Newport Winter Festival made the announcement on Facebook on Monday, December 6; “Due to concerns over […]
Posted inCOVID-19, News
Rhode Island nonprofits on the frontline of responding to COVID-19 can apply for $4.5 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funding
Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Foundation today announced that nonprofits on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for $4.5 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funding. “Nonprofits have had an immeasurable impact on our communities during this pandemic, and we must make sure they get the support they deserve,” said Governor McKee. […]