The following Covid-19 update was provided by Block Island Medical Center Director Dr. Tom Warcup on Sunday, Dec. 27:
Please watch the latest video update from Dr. Warcup at the link below:
Dr. Warcup notes that the positivity rate in Rhode Island was trending down on Wednesday, from 7.8% the previous week to 6.4%.
Distribution of the Moderna vaccine has begun across the US and the Medical Center is anticipating the first round of vaccinations to arrive beginning tomorrow. First responders will receive the first round of the inoculations.
There have been reports of a few cases of Bell’s Palsy associated with the COVID-19 vaccine, but the condition is rare, temporary, and the risk does not outweigh the benefit of vaccination. Bell’s Palsy is a temporary facial weakness or asymmetry that some of you may be familiar with as it can be associated with Lyme disease.
The BI Medical Center is designated as a COVID-19 vaccination site; as the vaccine becomes available, we will administer it to the community in accordance with the RIDOH guidelines. There should not be a need to leave the island to be vaccinated. We will continue to post updates about availability.