RI’s COVID Transmission Rate and Hospitalizations Up Over Weekend, 12 Deaths
GoLocalProv News Team
RI’s COVID Transmission Rate and Hospitalizations Up Over Weekend, 12 Deaths
The numbers released showed 12 additional deaths over the weekend — 2,917 Rhode Islanders have died of COVID since March of 2020.
In addition, the transmission rate increased again from 306.7 per 100,000 in a seven-day period to 321.1. — climbing nearly 200% in just over the last two weeks.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEqually concerning is that hospitalizations jumped from 127 to 148 over the five-day lull in reporting by RIDOH.
In recent days, the newly named Omicron variant disseminating from South Africa has sparked travel bans, rocked financial markets, and created global concerns.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky issued the following statement on Monday afternoon:
Today, CDC is strengthening its recommendation on booster doses for individuals who are 18 years and older. Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine.
The recent emergence of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. Early data from South Africa suggest increased transmissibility of the Omicron variant, and scientists in the United States and around the world are urgently examining vaccine effectiveness related to this variant.
I strongly encourage the 47 million adults who are not yet vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible and to vaccinate the children and teens in their families as well because strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness. I also want to encourage people to get a COVID-19 test if they are sick. Increased testing will help us identify Omicron quickly.
This story was first published 11/29/21 5:32 PM