Coronavirus-related developments across New England:
CONNECTICUT
Bishop Frank Caggiano of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport is in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.
The diocese said in a statement that Caggiano, 61, learned of the test result on Wednesday and immediately went into a 10-day quarantine. The diocese said the bishop was asymptomatic and feeling well.
Caggiano is tested weekly because of his travels to parishes in the diocese, the statement said.
“The Diocese asks for prayers for Bishop Caggiano and for all those throughout the Diocese who are afflicted by the virus, those who have lost loved ones, and for the many people suffering from anxiety related to the pandemic,” the diocese said.
Connecticut on Saturday surpassed 6,000 deaths from the virus since the pandemic began. Gov. Ned Lamont's office reported 104 more people died since Thursday, increasing total deaths to 6,099. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 decreased by 80 patients to 1,056.
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MAINE
More than 25,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Maine, including 344 new cases announced Saturday. Seven additional deaths were announced, bringing the total to 358.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine decreased over the past two weeks, going from 447 on Dec. 18 to 379 on Jan. 1.
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MASSACHUSETTS
A COVID-19 field hospital that was supposed to open at UMass Lowell this week instead won’t open until Monday.
The site at the campus recreation center was supposed to open in a “soft launch” for only Lowell General Hospital patients this week, with plans to expand access to surrounding area hospitals on Monday. However, staffing shortages forced the hospital staff to delay the opening, the Lowell Sun reported.
While the site has capacity for 77 beds, the facility has so far only recruited enough nurses to staff one 14-bed pod. Lowell General Hospital currently has 63 COVID-19 patients at its main campus.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire has set a goal of administering 100 shots per hour at each of the 13 state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites when it moves to Phase 2.
Perry Plummer, the former assistant commissioner of safety, is overseeing vaccine distribution. He told WMUR-TV the goal is realistic but it will take time to get the effort up to speed.
“We expect this to be a little bit of a windy road, and to make sure we’re ready to take turns wherever we need to, to make sure we can get people vaccinated in the State of New Hampshire as quickly as possible,” said Plummer.
The first phase of distribution has focused on health care workers, nursing home residents and staff and first responders. The second phase includes teachers, critical workers in high-risk settings, homeless shelter residents and others.
As of Friday, more than 21,000 vaccines had been administered.
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RHODE ISLAND
The first person to get vaccinated against the coronavirus in Rhode Island got his second shot on Saturday.
Dr. Christian Arbelaez, an emergency room physician at Rhode Island, received his second dose without the fanfare that surrounded him nearly three weeks ago, the Providence Journal reported. The moment came as his workplace continues to treat a post-Thanksgiving wave of patients and is bracing for another wave after Christmas and New Year’s Day.
“It’s this perfect storm — can we take care of everyone?” Arbelaez said. “Do we have capacity? Do we have front-line workers well enough? Those are all the things that worry me.”
More than 20,500 people have received their first shots in Rhode Island, according to state health officials.
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VERMONT
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine is asking Vermonters who are setting New Year’s goals to consider how they can take care of their own mental health and that of those around them during the coronavirus pandemic.
He reminded Vermonters Thursday to stay socially connected; create daily routines and schedules; and to exercise, eat healthy and get enough sleep. He also urged anyone struggling with anxiety or depression, or who just needs to talk to someone, to reach out for support.
“If you have children, talk with them, ask them about their concerns and listen to them,” Levine said during the governor’s virus briefing. “Engage with your community in any ways that are possible and safe. Helping others can actually counteract stress.”
Levine also asked Vermonters who gathered with others over New Year’s to get tested for COVID-19 seven days afterward.
“We could not have made it this far without your help and sacrifice,” he said.
Health officials announced 71 new cases of the virus Saturday. The number of deaths has increased to 139.