Clarke County Democrat

National Guard will give vaccinations in rural areas




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Gov. Ivey announced Tuesday that the Alabama National Guard will deploy later this month to rural areas of the state to administer vaccinations at mobile sites in at least 24 counties.

It isn’t known if Clarke County will be included. The names of the counties and the locations will be announced later.

Ivey said, “As we continue ramping up our vaccine distribution efforts, the guardsmen will play a critical role in reaching folks in rural areas of Alabama. We want to use every tool in our toolkit so that we can get COVID-19 behind us once and for all.”

The move is an effort to get the vaccine to people who may not be able to travel to get a shot.

The guard will have two mobile vaccination teams and be able to give at least 1,000 shots per site per day, Monday through Thursday for a total of 8,000 doses a week.

The guard and the state health department will work with local EMA offices to set up sites and work out logistics.

When vaccines first started becoming available, Clarke County Commissioner Rhondel Rhone advocated for clinics in rural areas, such as community fire stations, to reach people who didn’t have a way to travel to vaccination clinics not close to their homes.

 

 

Mask order extended

Last week, the day before the current mask mandate was set to expire, Gov. Ivey extended it until April 9. She said the mandate will not be extended past that date but she extended it one month to get past Easter, which falls on April 4.

While the mask mandate remains, other restrictions were loosened last week.

Restaurants and bars no longer have to limit party size at tables. Six feet distancing rules do remain in place.

Outdoor programs can be held at senior centers with regulations provided by the state’s senior citizens agency. Seniors centers have been previously shuttered due to the pandemic.

Hospital patients and nursing home residents will be allowed visits from two people at a time. The previous order limited visitors to one per patient.

Summer youth camps can operate but with social distancing and other guidelines.

While the state will lift the mask mandate, private businesses have the right to continue to require masks past April 9 and some may do so.

More outlets for vaccines

Covid-19 vaccinations are available from a number of area hospitals and physician offices as well as area pharmacies.

In Clarke County, vaccinations are available as follows: In Grove Hill at the Clarke County Health Department and the Grove Hill Health Care Clinic; in Jackson, at Jackson Medical Center and its clinics, Family Medical Clinic and Jackson Medical Urgent Care Clinic, at the Walmart Supercenter and at CVS pharmacy; in Thomasville, at Thomasville Regional Medical Center, Physicians Care of Thomasville, and at the Walmart Supercenter.

In Choctaw County, five locations are offering shots: FPHC/Gilbertown Medical Center and Hometown Pharmacy, both in Gilbertown; in Butler at Choctaw General Hospital, Willard’s Medical Arts Pharmacy and the Choctaw County Health Department.

In Washington County, the Washington County Health Department and Washington County Hospital are offering shots, both in Chatom; and in Millry, at the Millry Pediatric Clinic.

Seven locations are offering the shots in Monroe County.

In Monroeville, at the Monroe County Health Department, Mainstreet Family Care, MCH Physicians Group, Primary Care Center and the Monroe County Hospital; and in Frisco City at the Frisco City Family Medical Center.

The Wilcox County Health Department and the CVS pharmacy, both in Camden, have the shots.

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