By Associated Press - Monday, May 3, 2021

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - High schools across Rhode Island have scheduled vaccination clinics for their students over the age of 16 this week, starting Monday at Cranston East.

Another clinic is scheduled for Wednesday at Cranston West, Barrington is scheduled to host a clinic Thursday, and Johnston and North Kingstown are set to vaccinate students starting Friday.

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins tells WPRI-TV that vaccinations will help students feel safe during prom and graduation season, and give them a chance to get a shot before college, as many schools are requiring students to be vaccinated for the fall semester.

The city is providing the Pfizer vaccine, which is authorized for use in those over the age of 16.

Students can get a shot without parental authorization, the state Department of Health said.

Second doses for Cranston students are scheduled to be administered on May 24 and 26.

Gov. Daniel McKee said last week that his administration will work with any high school that wants to host a vaccination clinic for students.

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HEALTH DEPARTMENT DATA

The Rhode Island Department of Health on Monday reported almost 500 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and seven additional virus-related deaths over the past three days.

There have now been nearly 149,000 almost known cases of the disease and 2,678 fatalities in the state.

The true number of cases is likely higher because studies suggest some people can be infected and not feel sick.

The department does not update on weekends.

The number of patients in the hospital with COVID-19 had fallen to 124 as of Saturday, down from 156 on April 27.

The number of people in the state who have been fully vaccinated is now almost 396,000, according to the department.

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DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER VACCINE SITE

Rhode Island expects to shut down the mass vaccination site at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence in the near future, McKee said Monday.

The state is shifting to a more community-based vaccination approach, working on bringing shots into closer to where people live rather than making them travel to vaccination sites.

The sports arena has also been used as a field hospital and a rapid testing site during the pandemic.

The state has other mass vaccination sites in Cranston, Middletown, South Kingstown and Woonsocket.

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