Hoping to galvanize the state’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Monday that phase two of the state’s plan would begin on Feb 1, with all residents 75 or older able to start receiving shots at vaccination locations across the commonwealth.
Meanwhile, questions still remain regarding the vaccine rollout on-Island, as health agents reported seven new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, the lowest weekend total in more than two months.
The governor also fast-tracked the vaccination process for residents 65 and older, moving them up the priority ladder in phase two of the state’s vaccination plan in accordance with guidance from the Center for Disease Control. They will join residents who have two or more underlying conditions as the second highest-priority group starting Feb. 1.
In a press release that went out midday Monday, the governor said that the exact date for individuals to receive vaccinations was not yet set and would depend on vaccine availability.
“The exact date will depend on the vaccine supply from the federal government and the uptake and demand for vaccine appointments,” the release said.
On Thursday, the governor announced that all individuals in phase one of the state’s rollout plan were eligible to receive shots. Phase one priority groups included front lines health care workers, congregate living residents, their staff, and public safety officials.
According to the hospital website, 389 employees have been vaccinated as of last Wednesday, along with 280 first responders, all of the Windemere nursing home facility and all six residents at the Edgartown jail, as well as Edgartown courthouse staff.
“Our process is running very smoothly,” the update reads.
But the announcement from the governor also leaves questions about the details of the broader vaccine rollout on the Island.
The hospital is listed on the state Department of Public Health website as the only public vaccination site in Dukes County. Although the press release from the governor states that residents should schedule a vaccination appointment through a nearby clinic, the hospital is not yet offering vaccine appointments for residents in phase two of the rollout.
Hospital spokesman Marissa Lefebvre did not immediately respond to an email request for comment from the Gazette.
“We are working closely with the Island boards of health to develop a distribution plan as we learn more about the vaccine rollout from government leaders,” the hospital’s most recent online update states.
According to the state, phase two also includes early education and kindergarten through grade 12 educators, transit workers, grocery store employees, public health employees and individuals with one underlying condition.
The governor also announced an expansion of vaccination sites across the commonwealth on Monday.
The closest mass vaccination site to the Island is located at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, while the closest publicly available regional vaccination site is at the Walgreens in Mashpee.
Meanwhile, health agents reported seven new cases of coronavirus over the weekend, with five coming on Saturday and two on Monday. There were no new cases reported on Sunday, according to the report.
Of the seven new cases, three were tested at the hospital, two at TestMV, one from school testing and one from another provider. The Island has now reported 789 total laboratory confirmed PCR tests.
An expanded report from Friday indicated that there were currently 91 active cases of the virus on the Island, the majority of which were symptomatic.
One person is currently hospitalized with the virus, according to an update on Monday at 3 p.m. from the hospital. The patient’s condition is not currently known.
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