Feb 9, 2021
Top COVID-19 News
What you need to know this week about vaccinations, reopening, and how to stay safe
Amid the pandemic, news is fast-moving – and sometimes confusing. Coverage is here to help. Our new series provides a clear, fact-based digest of the top news for health consumers.
State adds more vaccine appointments, launches helpline
Massachusetts is adding tens of thousands of appointments weekly to vaccination sites, according to an update from Gov. Charlie Baker. Health care workers, residents and staff at nursing homes and other communal settings, first responders and people 75 and older are currently eligible to receive the vaccine, and the state has launched a new public information campaign to encourage vaccination.
How can I make an appointment? In addition to an interactive map, the state has set up a helpline. Residents can call 211 and a representative will make their vaccination appointment. The line is available M-F, 8:30am – 5pm, and staffed by representatives who speak English and Spanish, with translators available for 100+ other languages. The state also may collaborate with the designer of a new easy-to-use site that uses public data to show available appointments.
Increasing vaccine supply
The Biden administration will increase the weekly vaccine shipments sent to states to a minimum of 11 million doses nationwide beginning this week, and for at least the next 3 weeks – a bump of 5% resulting from an unexpected increase in manufacturing. That includes 1 million vaccines that will be shipped directly to 6,500 retail pharmacies, including CVS and Walgreens, beginning Feb. 11.
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has filed an emergency use authorization application for its single-shot coronavirus vaccine. Next, the FDA will convene its vaccine advisory panel on Feb. 26 to review J&J’s clinical data.
What would the impact be? Johnson & Johnson’s shot would be the third available to Americans, joining Moderna and Pfizer. Experts believe it could be an important tool, given its effectiveness, relatively easy storage requirements, and ease of administration. If FDA-authorized, the company has agreed to deliver 100 million doses to the U.S. by end of June.
State increases capacity for businesses and restaurants
Starting Feb 8, businesses and restaurants in Massachusetts that have been operating at 25% capacity can increase to 40% thanks to steadily declining infection, hospitalization and death rates in the state. Restaurant seating is still limited to 90 minutes and 6 people per table, and restrictions limiting gathering sizes to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors will remain unchanged for the time being.
What’s next in the reopening plan? If rates continue to improve in Massachusetts, the state may reopen indoor performance venues and indoor recreation businesses like roller rinks and trampoline parks. Currently, the seven-day average positivity rate, which measures the percentage of tests that are positive, is 2.96%, down substantially from the winter peak of 8.67% on New Year's Day.
Possible spike following Super Bowl Sunday
Even as infection rates improve across much of the country, health care officials are warning of a potential rise in COVID-19 cases following the Super Bowl. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House COVID-19 Response Team's chief medical adviser, noted spikes of new infections have followed waves of indoor social gatherings throughout the year.
How to avoid transmission: Wearing masks and following physical distancing and other public health measures are still the primary ways to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19. Even those who have received the vaccination should adhere to these measures, since the vaccine protects against illness but may not prevent transmission of the virus to the unvaccinated.