Giant will be among the first retailers in the District to administer Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine.
As early as Saturday, healthcare workers who work in nursing homes can be vaccinated in giant pharmacies as part of the district’s Phase 1A rollout, the retailer said.
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“We are confident that our trusted pharmacies and pharmacists will be prepared to do our part to keep our communities safe and healthy,” said Paul Zvaleny, Director of Pharmaceutical Operations at Giant, in a press release.
The DC health department will consult and inform qualified people when they can get vaccines.
Thousands of vaccine doses have been distributed to DC, including 12,000 from the federal government and 8,000 from the state of Maryland.
What the data shows
DC delayed the release of data from December 24 to the day after Christmas, “out of respect for healthcare professionals who worked tirelessly during the pandemic,” according to DC’s digital hub COVID-19.
Six more residents, including a 97-year-old man, died of COVID-19. Another 274 residents tested positive for the virus on Thursday, the city said.
Maryland has reported 4,712 new cases of coronavirus since Thursday. Hospitalizations dropped to 1,685.
Vaccine doses have been administered to 18,789 Maryland residents so far, including 3,676 in the National Capital Region.
Virginia reported 1,105 new cases on Saturday, which reduced the seven-day moving average to 2,788. The holiday may have impacted the number of positive cases counted.
Virginia reported 2,187 coronavirus hospitalizations on Saturday, a decline from the record number of coronavirus hospitalizations on Christmas Eve.
A total of 43,043 people in Virginia received their first dose of vaccine. Fairfax County leads the group, with 3,658 injections administered to residents so far.
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Reopening Tracker
Although COVID-19 treatments have improved and a vaccine is on the way, even a mild case of the virus can cause long-term complications – including the possibility of erectile dysfunction. Infectious disease specialist Dr Dena Grayson joined LX News with a warning not to disappoint our guards while we wait for a vaccine.
How to stay safe
Anyone can get COVID-19. Here are three simple ways that the CDC says you can reduce your risk:
- Wear a tight mask that covers your nose and mouth.
- Avoid staying indoors with people outside your home. The more people you contact, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19. If you are indoors with people you don’t live with, stay at least two meters away and keep your mask on.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after being in a public place.