DETROIT (AP) - Detroit officials plan to begin scheduling 20,000 COVID-19 vaccination appointments over the next four weeks at the city’s downtown convention center for residents 75 and older.
The number is based on the anticipated supply of vaccines from the state, Mayor Mike Duggan said Thursday.
Scheduling is to start Monday, and appointments will begin Wednesday. The no-cost vaccinations will be given at the TCF Center. Persons 65 and older who drive seniors to the center also can get vaccinated for the coronavirus.
Voluntary vaccinations for police officers and bus drivers are to start Friday. Vaccinations for other essential workers will follow.
“We are going to keep ramping up our vaccinations to the maximum extent the supply allows,” Duggan said.
Next week, Detroit’s health department - working with Wayne State University medical, nursing and pharmacy students - is to start vaccinations at 60 senior citizen buildings and 29 homeless shelters.
“We know that congregate living can increase frequency of exposure to this virus, which is why we are prioritizing seniors and those experiencing homelessness by conducting vaccination outreach at these facilities across our city,” said Denise Fair, Detroit’s chief public health officer. “This strategy is essential to the community’s overall health.”
Through Thursday, Detroit had 26,486 confirmed virus cases and 1,714 confirmed deaths since the start of the pandemic. Statewide, there have been 512,751 total confirmed cases and 13,094 deaths.
The state said 4,015 daily cases and 176 deaths had been confirmed Thursday. Of the deaths, 138 were identified during a review of records.
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