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Rhode Island Department Of Health

Monday, April 1, 2013

State Health Department Warns of E Coli Contamination

Recalled products may have been sold in Rhode Island.

  A number of Farm Rich brand products may be contaminated with E. coli 0121, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Products involved in the USDA recall were distributed to Walmart stores nationwide, including stores in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, according to the state. According to the state health department, the products included in the recall are: • 7.2-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322376909 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014. • 22-oz. cartons of Farm Rich mini pizza slices with cheese pepperoni and sauce in pizza dough, UPC code 041322356437 with a best by date of May 15 or May 16, 2014. • 18-oz. bags of Farm Rich mini …

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Health Department to Private Well Owners: 'Boil Your Water'

The Department of Health is asking private well owners to boil their water as a safety precaution.

  The following is from a press release.  Due to the excessive snow from the winter storm and from rainfall on Monday, some private wells may be impacted. The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) reminds Rhode Islanders who lost water pressure or have a flooded well head (surrounded by water), to take steps to ensure the safety of drinking water: For more information visit www.health.ri.gov/drinkingwaterquality/for/privatewellowners/ or call the Health Information Line at 401-222-5960 / RI Relay 711. 

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9:18 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013

I boil mine through a Keurig and it looks curiously like Gevalia when it comes out.   more ›

Friday, January 18, 2013

Whooping Cough Cases Confirmed in Coventry Schools

Families are urged to take advantage of the vaccination clinic on Saturday.

  According to the RI Department of Health, as of Friday afternoon, four cases of pertussis (commonly known as "whooping cough") have been confirmed in Coventry students. The Department is recommending vaccinations for both children and adults in town. Three cases have been confirmed in students at Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School. One case has been confirmed in a student at Tiogue Elementary School. "The best protection against pertussis and influenza is vaccination," said Michael Fine, M.D., director of HEALTH Friday. "Any child who is not up to date on his or her pertussis vaccination should be vaccinated, and we encourage all unvaccinated adults to get a Tdap vaccine as well." A community vaccination clinic is scheduled for Saturday …

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Lauren Costa

4:46 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Hi Nate, I would have to agree with Steven on this. I could ask around for you, but I don't have any personal pediatric connections so I don't want to give you an answer if I'm not 110% positive it's correct.   more ›

Monday, January 14, 2013

Flu Shots Nearly Out of Stock in Coventry

Local pharmacies are running out of flu shots during this flu season.

  It has been a very active flu season as Rhode Island and other parts of the United States have seen a surge in reported cases of influenza. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22,048 flu cases were recorded from Sept. 30 through the end of 2012. During that same period in 2011, only 849 cases were reported.  Though the 2011-2012 was a relatively quiet flu season in comparison to decades past, this flu season started earlier than past years and also hosts a different dominant strain – H3N2. Young children and the elderly are more susceptible to this strain, according to the CDC. Now, local pharmacies are reporting shortages of flu shots at locations across the region. In Coventry, Walgreens still has vaccinations …

Why Get The Flu Shot? Health Dept. Debunks Flu Shot Myths

With flu rates higher than normal across the U.S., R.I. Health Director Fine says it's not too late to get vaccinated and protect yourself and others.

From the office of Michael Fine, M.D., director of the Rhode Island Department of Health: As the flu remains widespread in Rhode Island and continues to send people to doctors’ offices and hospitals throughout the state, unvaccinated Rhode Islanders are urged to get flu shots to protect not only themselves, but also those around them — particularly elderly people and babies under the age of six months.   “Flu vaccine helps you and the people in your life stay healthy,” said Fine. “Roughly 40 percent of the state has been vaccinated so far this flu season. For the hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders who still haven’t gotten flu shots, it’s not too late to protect yourself, your family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends.” This…

Thursday, January 10, 2013

HEALTH: It's Not Too Late to Get Your Flu Shot

Influenza hospitalizations, illnesses continue to climb.

  With Rhode Island now in peak flu season and flu-related hospitalization rates climbing throughout the state, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) reminds all Rhode Islanders that it is not too late to be vaccinated against influenza. “Influenza usually hits Rhode Island the hardest in January and February. This year, flu has been widespread in Rhode Island since early December, which means we could be facing one of the harshest flu seasons we have seen in years,” said Michael Fine, MD, director of HEALTH. “Anyone older than six months of age who has not been vaccinated against the flu should be vaccinated as soon as possible. By getting your flu shot, you are protecting yourself and your loved ones by helping to prevent the …

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2:58 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013

@Lauren Costa..go ahead and tell everyone how the little needle was painless..you did go...didn't you? Hmmm?   more ›

Thursday, December 6, 2012

HEALTH Declares Flu to Be Widespread in Rhode Island

Surgical masks now required for all unimmunized healthcare workers.

  The following was provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health PROVIDENCE – Michael Fine, MD, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), has issued a Declaration of Widespread Flu Incidence Statewide. This declaration triggers Rhode Island’s new regulations requiring all healthcare workers who have not been immunized against influenza to wear a surgical mask during all times of direct patient contact. “Flu is here in Rhode Island, and all signs indicate that this flu season is expected to be more severe than those in recent past,” said Dr. Fine. “We encourage all Rhode Islanders to protect themselves and those around them by being immunized against influenza. Our healthcare workers have an obligation to protect …

Monday, October 29, 2012

HEALTH: Residents Dependent on Electrical Medical Devices Advised to Go to Shelters

If Hurricane Sandy causes power outages, residents will have only a limited time to find electrical sources for their medical devices.

  The Rhode Island Department of Health is now urging people who depend on life-sustaining medical equipment requiring electricity (such as a respirator) to go to a shelter before the heavier winds pick up this afternoon. They should bring at least a three-day supply of medications. Coventry High School, located at 40 Reservoir Rd. has been designated as the Town of Coventry's shelter.  A list of additional shelters can be found at www.ri.gov/press/view/17752. HEALTH also reminds Rhode Islanders with Special Healthcare Needs to enroll in the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry. Click here for a list of important Coventry-related numbers and websites to have on hand.

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Lauren Costa

11:55 am on Friday, February 8, 2013

Hi Beth, I have yet to get word about CHS opening as a shelter. I'm on the CERT team and we have not been deployed or given any info about that happening. However, I spoke briefly with Chief Volpe this morning and he will be sending me a Coventry EMA report with more blizzard information for the town soon. I'll keep you posted of course!   more ›

Saturday, October 27, 2012

HEALTH Urges Rhode Islanders with Special Healthcare Needs to Enroll in Registry

Residents should enroll or update their information in the registry before the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

  The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) urges those with special healthcare needs to enroll in the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry in advance of Hurricane Sandy. Enrolling in the Registry does not guarantee assistance, but it does allow local and state emergency officials to plan for, respond to, and care for Rhode Islanders with disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special healthcare needs in an emergency such as a hurricane. HEALTH is working with municipalities to provide as close to real time information as possible in advance of the hurricane. People who use life-sustaining equipment that need electricity should contact their electricity provider and inform them of specific needs, if they haven't already …

Thursday, September 20, 2012

HEALTH Reports Providence County Case of West Nile Virus Infection

Rhode Islanders are encouraged to continue taking precautions against mosquitoes.

  The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) reports that a man in his 20s from Providence County has been diagnosed with meningitis resulting from a West Nile Virus (WNV) infection. The man is now recovering.                         “Although the calendar tells us that summer officially ends this week, the threat of mosquito-borne illness lingers until the first hard frost,” said Michael Fine, MD, director of HEALTH. “I encourage all Rhode Islanders to continue to take measures to protect themselves and their children from mosquito bites.” Avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active, is an important protection from the threat of mosquito-borne illness. HEALTH recently advised school districts and city …

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