Local News 48
Wayne County health department transitioning to Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for first-dose recipients
WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – Wayne County announced Sunday it had to reschedule first vaccinations planned for Tuesday and Wednesday because it depleted its allotment of Pfizer vaccine received from the State of Michigan.
DETAILS: COVID-19 vaccinations rescheduled by Wayne County Public Health Division due to supply shortage
State officials informed the county Friday that the Wayne County Public Health Department no longer would receive the Pfizer vaccine to administer for first doses.
State officials also informed the county it will receive 5,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine Tuesday.
According to the county, the Moderna vaccine is just as effective as the Pfizer vaccine but must be handled differently.
Public health officials are adding a new indoor vaccination site at Schoolcraft College where the Moderna vaccine will be administered.
County health officials said the move to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will impact only Phase 1A and 1B recipients who have not received their first dose of the vaccine.
Individuals awaiting the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine from the county will still receive the Pfizer vaccine at the Health Administration Building in Wayne, where they received their first dose.
“We know people are frustrated with the vaccine supply shortages from the state,” said Wayne County Chief Health Strategist Dr. Mouhanad Hammami. “Our team is prepared to vaccinate more residents and better protect our communities as soon as we get more vaccine.”
The rescheduling caused by the vaccine shortfall affects about 1,400 people, mostly healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers who are part of the Phase 1A group on the vaccination priority list. Individuals scheduled to receive their second dose, or those who will be vaccinated at a local hospital, nursing home, or long-term-care facility are not affected.
Individuals with appointments for first-dose vaccinations currently scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19 and Wednesday, Jan. 20 will be notified individually of their new appointment time by the Wayne County Public Health Department.
Rescheduled vaccinations will take place at Wayne County’s new vaccine site located at Schoolcraft College’s Vista Tech Center. This will be an indoor walk-in site.
The address of Schoolcraft College’s Vista Tech Center is 18600 Haggerty Road in Livonia.
Wayne County vaccinations for people in Phase 1A and essential frontline workers in Phase 1B will resume Thursday at VistaTech Center at Schoolcraft College.
Additional vaccination sites will be announced as more vaccine becomes available from the State of Michigan.
Wayne County currently is vaccinating healthcare workers and essential employees in Phases 1A and 1B.
Seniors over 65 or older should schedule a vaccine through their health system, not the county health department.
Teacher and school staff will be scheduled to receive vaccinations according to their school districts and will be notified by Wayne RESA of the date and location.
Other groups in Phase 1B must register online or through their employers to request a vaccine appointment time from the Wayne County Public Health Department.
QUARANTINE REGS & UDAYANGA : SJB RAISES CONCERNS
Colombo (News 1st); The opposition claims 18 Ukrainian women were among those who visited Sri Lanka as part of the pilot project of the government’s program to re-open for tourism.
SJB MP Hesha Vithanage said he would reveal details of the purpose of these women’s visit to Sri Lanka including their VISA details.
“Udayanga Weeratunga was seen making all the necessary arrangements for the tour group and his address is listed with the tourist board as Udayanga Weeratunga, Temple Trees, Colombo 02,” said the opposition lawmaker.
He claimed Weeratunga has the blessings of the President and the Prime Minister for this and questioned if the quarantine regulations do not apply to the Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia.
THREE ROADS IN MUTUWAL ISOLATED
COLOMBO (News 1st): Three roads in the Mutuwal police area were placed in isolation with effect from 5:00 am on Tuesday morning (Jan. 05), the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.
St. Andrew’s Road, St. Andrew’s Upper Road, and St. Andrew’s Lower Road were isolated after several new COVID-19 cases were detected in the area, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, the Head of the NOCPCO told News 1st on Tuesday morning.
“Of this 468 new cases found yesterday (Jan. 04), 74 were detected during admission and discharge at hospitals. There were 117 from the Colombo Municipal council area, especially from St. Andrew’s Road. That is the reason we had to isolate St. Andrew’s Road, St. Andrew’s Upper Road, and Lower Road of the Modara Police area with effect this morning (05),” General Shavendra Silva elaborated.
According to the Army Commander, 468 new COVID-19 patients were found in Sri Lanka yesterday; of that 16 were from prisons and two are returnees from overseas.
Minister Jayasumana confirms vaccine plans
Colombo (News 1st); Arrangements have already been made to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana confirmed.
The Government is holding discussions regarding the vaccine from Russia through the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Russia and revealed that preparations are also in place to receive the Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines. The medication is to be granted approval through the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Prof. Jayasumana said.
Prof. Channa Jayasumana met with the Russian Ambassador this afternoon at the Russian Embassy.
According to the State Minister, the tonic has already been given preliminary approval for use as an indigenous medicine. There are a number of requirements that it must meet if it is to be administered to patients at hospitals, he added.
No further restrictions will be imposed this Christmas – Army Commander
COLOMBO (News 1st): Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva says he expects no further restrictions to be imposed on this Christmas.
The general public to restrict their travel plans as far as possible, bearing in mind the fast-spreading nature of the virus both at home and abroad, Army Commander reminded.
Another 580 people tested positive for the virus yesterday. These include several people who had returned to the island from overseas, he added.
Of the new cases, 228 are from Colombo, 108 from Gampaha, 68 from Kalutara, 40 from Kandy, 18 from Trincomalee, and 17 are from Matara.
Out of the new cases, 49 people from the Mahara Prison and 15 from the Negombo Prison also tested positive, he further added.
With these latest figures, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID 19 in SL has increased to 38,638.
8232 infected patients continue to receive treatment at hospitals across the island.
Yesterday, one person was confirmed to have died from the virus, raising SLs death toll to 184.
Meanwhile, the President of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association Upul Rohana says that at present there are three COVID 19 high-risk groups.
The three groups are:
1. Those employed in the Western province and are returning to their homes outside the Western province for the holidays.
2. Those entering the Western province to purchase goods and services, and failing to adhere to health regulations and practices.
3. And those residing in once isolated areas but now traveling to other parts of the country, especially Nuwara Eliya, Trincomalee, and Kandy – making bookings at hotels and other lodging facilities.
Taking into consideration the widespread nature of COVID 19 in the Colombo district, these groups could pose a risk to other parts of the island, said President of the Sri Lanka PHI Association Upul Rohana
Military leaders are expected to perform in all spheres: Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said that military leaders are expected to perform in all spheres possible as they do today.
While safeguarding people from any threat, whether it is manmade or natural disaster, the defence secrertary said that the military was also expected to engage in the nation building campaign in keeping with the President’s Vision ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ in the drive towards a brighter and prosperous future.
The Defence Secretary expressed these remarks while gracing a Commissioning Ceremony as the Chief Guest, held at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Diyatalawa on Saturday.
The parade saw the commissioning of 187 officer cadets including one Maldivian officer, Two Zambian officers and 18 lady officers belonging to the officer cadet intakes of 88, 88 Bravo and Lady Intake 18.
Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and the Commandant SLMA Brig. A K G K U Gnanaratne were also present at the ceremony.
Accordingly, four Sri Lankan officer cadets who underwent their basic military training at the Chinese Military Academy, two cadets trained at the Indian Military Academy, nine cadets trained at the Pakistan Military Academy and an officer cadet trained at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, United Kingdom also received their commissioning at the prestigious ceremony.
- Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and the Commandant SLMA Brig. A K G K U Gnanaratne were also present at the ceremony
- The parade saw the commissioning of 187 officer cadets
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