April 22, 2021 Briefing
Below are the latest health-related news, media announcements, resources, and updates for our CTC-RI practice and community members during the COVID-19 crisis. The next briefing will be shared in the coming weeks as needed.
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Latest News and Media Announcements
April 22 - Governor Dan McKee announced new lifted business restrictions at his press conference today, including allowing 80% capacity beginning May 7 across all business categories and 100% capacity starting on May 28.
April 19 - Rhode Island opened vaccine eligibility to all Rhode Islanders 16+. Vaccine appointments are available at www.vaccinateri.org.
April 14 - Rhode Island announced the pause of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 Vaccine, following recommendations by both the CDC and the FDA. The CDC and FDA are reviewing data involving 6 reported cases of a rare blood clot in people who received the Janssen vaccine. One reason why the CDC and FDA have taken this step is to educate healthcare providers on signs of these rare blood clots, as well as provide them with information about how to treat and report them. For Rhode Islanders who got the Janssen vaccine in the last 3 weeks, their risk is very low. Rhode Island has administered 31,530 doses of Janssen vaccine and has not had any of these adverse events reported. The state is storing this vaccine while federal officials review the pause, which only represents about 3% of COVID-19 vaccines, and officials do not anticipate this impacting the state's vaccine goals.
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Health and Vaccine Updates and Resources
Free Public Transportation to Vaccine Appointments
Rhode Island is now offering free transportation via RIPTA for anyone traveling to or from a COVID-19 vaccination appointment. With many of the vaccine sites on RIPTA bus routes, this should make access even easier. Many vaccination sites across the state are accessible by public transportation. For more information or to take advantage of this program, email customerservice@RIPTA.com or call 401-781-9400.
RIDOH encourages all Rhode Islanders to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccine Quick Reference Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Access basic information on the proper storage, preparation, and administration of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines.
"Path to Free Vaccine" Document Recaps Current Vaccine Avenues and Information
RIDOH is offering a "Path to Free Vaccine" document to communicate the various avenues and opportunities for vaccination currently in RI, as well as local community information.
COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Available
MABS (monoclonal antibodies) is a fast, easy, and highly effective treatment for COVID-19. If you’ve tested positive, ask your doctor right away about MABS. This treatment is most successful on mild to moderate symptoms. Many people start feeling better as early as the next day. Learn more at covid.ri.gov/treatment.
2-1-1 Provides Vaccine Registration Support
People who live, work, or go to school in Rhode Island can now get additional support when scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. People can call 2-1-1 to talk to a live, trained person who can offer help in multiple languages when scheduling appointments on VaccinateRI.org or signing up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Notification List on portal.ri.gov. This help is available 24/7.
Homebound Rhode Islanders Can Now Receive Vaccines
RIDOH is partnering with three agencies — Alert Ambulance, MedTech Ambulance, and PACE — to administer COVID-19 vaccines to homebound people in their residences. After completing this survey, one of these agencies will contact an interested individual to schedule a vaccination appointment.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for the Public
Walmart and Stop & Shop Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccines
Stop & Shop vaccines are available in 4 locations (Lincoln, North Smithfield, Warwick, and East Providence) and 9 Walmart locations have started offering the vaccine (Coventry, Cranston, Newport, North Kingstown, North Smithfield, Providence, Warwick, and Westerly). Click here for more details.
AMA Offers "Do’s and Don’ts for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccines"
To build COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, it is vital that physicians and health systems communicate effectively. This means using the right words, the right messengers and the right methods to reach diverse audiences. The AMA offers a COVID-19 vaccines guide for physicians to help build trust in vaccine safety and efficacy.
CDC Provides Ready-Made Toolkits for Medical Centers, Pharmacies, and Clinicians to Help Build Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccination Among Healthcare Teams
CDC has released several audience-specific toolkits with ready-to-use materials to help build confidence in COVID-19 vaccination, answer patient questions, and provide proper storage and handling information. Toolkit content includes items such as posters, flyers, newsletter templates, social media messages, and more.
Additional COVID-Related Resources for Practices
April Results from National Primary Care Survey
Results are now available from the national Larry A. Green Center and Primary Care Collaborative survey fielded April 9-13, 2021. These most recent results show significant underreporting of the level of stress primary care clinicians are experiencing when asked on a scale of 1-5. But when asked directly about items such as burnout and mental exhaustion, the numbers are higher than they were a year ago. If you work in direct patient care, please make time to care for yourself, not just your patients.
HealthSourceRI Enrollment Extended Through August 15
HealthSource RI’s new enrollment period, open to all eligible Rhode Islanders, extends through August 15, 2021. Lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, asylees, refugees) can apply for coverage. Coverage starts the first of the month after a complete enrollment.
Multilingual Resources and Materials
Be Kind RI Connects Neighbors in Need with Volunteers
Be Kind RI is a new technology platform that connects volunteers to their neighbors across Rhode Island through text alerts to coordinate food deliveries from grocery stores and food pantries. Volunteers can lend a hand where and when they can. Be Kind was made possible through a partnership between Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and Family Service of RI.
COVID Black Launches to Address Racial Health Disparities
COVID Black provides critical information and data that, long-term, can help to combat heath disparities and foster health equity. Its purpose is also to restore a sense of humanity for our Black Community as we honor Black Americans who have physically died from COVID-19 at twice the rate of any other racial/ethnic group in this nation. The new website features a Homegoing Living Memorial in their honor, which will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Locate a Rhode Island COVID-19 Testing Site
RIDOH's testing webpage features updated information on testing opportunities throughout the state.
Free Mental Health Support Lines for Healthcare Workers
Lifespan and Care New England have partnered to offer a free service available to all healthcare workers in Rhode Island, and can be accessed Monday - Saturday, 8am - 8pm by calling 401-606-6000. Callers will be offered an appointment for support from an individual provider. There is also a national Peer Support Line for physicians navigating the pandemic.
Support for Patients with Diabetes
People with diabetes using Novo Nordisk Inc. insulin who have lost health insurance coverage because of a change in job status due to COVID-19 may now be eligible for enrollment in the company's Diabetes Patient Assistance Program and receive insulin free of charge for 90 days. Criteria can be found on NovoCare.com or by calling 1-844-NOVO4ME (1-844-668-6463).
If you have any further questions, please reach out to CTC-RI directly at ctc-ri@ctc-ri.org.
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