A mobile vaccination effort that is slated to administer 500 COVID-19 immunizations per day is underway in East Boston.
The “Mobile Vax” initiative is a joint effort of Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care to focus vaccination efforts on Black, Latino and non-English speaking communities in Massachusetts.
The first appointments were held Saturday at Central Square Park in East Boston. Stops in Chelsea, Holyoke and Chicopee are planned for the next several weeks.
Appointments are required; community organizers are spreading the word by calling residents and going door-to-door in target areas.
VERMONT
Vermont has more than 400 summer programs currently available for youth with more in the works as the state moves to expand opportunities using federal coronavirus relief money, Gov. Phil Scott said.
The Republican Scott, independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Vermont Agency of Education, Vermont Afterschool and others are working together on “our goal to make sure kids can reconnect with their friends and have some fun this summer after missing out on so much over the last year,” Scott said Friday during his bi-weekly virus briefing.
Scott said he was encouraged by what he heard about plans when he and Sanders met with superintendents from across the state this past week. Parents can view a map of available camps on online at vermontafterschool.org.
“We’re working to make these programs accessible, affordable and impactful for our youth,” Scott said.
Many full- and part-time staff positions for these programs are available this summer around Vermont, he said.
Vermont reported 64 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Saturday, for a statewide total since the pandemic began of nearly 22,500.
A total of 23 people were hospitalized with five in intensive care.
One additional COVID-19 death was reported, bringing the state’s total to 244.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
The Governor’s Economic Re-Opening Task Force created at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic marked its 77th — and last — meeting by approving a “universal best practices” document to replace previous “stay at home” guidance for businesses.
The best practices document, which would go into effect on May 7, will be reviewed by health officials and Gov. Chris Sununu.
The task force also approved guidance for amateur and youth sports; health and fitness and performing arts venues; and childcare and summer day camps.
DJ Bettencourt, the task force’s policy director, said Friday the group appreciated the public’s feedback during its meetings.
“Certainly not everyone agreed with every decision we made. In fact, some people I know were downright mad at us on a couple of occasions for going too fast or oppositely, going too slow,” Bettencourt said.
He added that if people on “both poles of an issue are a little upset with you, then you’re probably right where you need to be” to make the vast majority happy.
MAINE
State officials are investigating after inmates at a women’s correctional facility tested positive for COVID-19.
WABI-TV reported Friday that the five women who tested positive are all residents in the same housing unit at the Maine Correctional Center’s women’s facility in Windham.
The state Department of Corrections says it is working with the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to contain the outbreak.
The Maine CDC reported Saturday that the state has been the site of nearly 60,000 cases of the virus and 772 deaths, including one new one, and more than 370 current cases.
RHODE ISLAND
All students, staff and faculty at the University of Rhode Island are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine this weekend.
The shots will be offered Saturday and Sunday at a state-run vaccine clinic at the Schneider Electric building.
Shuttles will be used to transport students and staff from the university’s Memorial Union to the vaccine site.
No new deaths were reported when new numbers were announced Friday showing 259 new cases. The death toll from the pandemic remained at 2,660. The state did not release updated numbers on Saturday.