COVID-19 Updates and Temple Sinai's Response
As of February 24, 2022 (updates will be posted here as necessary)
STATE OF THE PANDEMIC
The CDC now rates the community level of COVID-19 to be "LOW" for all of of Rhode Island. The rates of COVID infection and hospitalization have been steadily declining since New Year's Day and are now at their lowest level since the start of the omicron variant outbreak. However, COVID continues to be a dangerous disease for people who are unvaccinated or who have compromised immune systems. By taking precautions yourself, you can help prevent transmission of the disease to those who are most vulnerable.
We are now also in the midst of the influenza (flu) season. The same precautions that prevent the transmission of COVID – vaccination, masking, social distancing, staying away from crowded places – also prevent transmission of the flu and other respiratory diseases.
The CDC makes these recommends in areas of HIGH levels of COVID transmission:
Bivalent booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now authorized and recommended for people age 5 or older. “Bivalent” means that doses protect people against TWO strains of COVID-19, the original strain and the Omicron variant. Pfizer has a bivalent booster for people age 5 or older. Moderna has a bivalent booster for people age 6 or older. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.Gov.
TEMPLE POLICIES:
STATE OF THE PANDEMIC
The CDC now rates the community level of COVID-19 to be "LOW" for all of of Rhode Island. The rates of COVID infection and hospitalization have been steadily declining since New Year's Day and are now at their lowest level since the start of the omicron variant outbreak. However, COVID continues to be a dangerous disease for people who are unvaccinated or who have compromised immune systems. By taking precautions yourself, you can help prevent transmission of the disease to those who are most vulnerable.
We are now also in the midst of the influenza (flu) season. The same precautions that prevent the transmission of COVID – vaccination, masking, social distancing, staying away from crowded places – also prevent transmission of the flu and other respiratory diseases.
The CDC makes these recommends in areas of HIGH levels of COVID transmission:
- Wear a high-quality mask or respirator.
- If you are at high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non-essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed.
- If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self-testing to detect infection before contact, and consider wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them.
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including recommended booster doses.
- Maintain ventilation improvements.
- Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Follow the recommendations for what to do if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Bivalent booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now authorized and recommended for people age 5 or older. “Bivalent” means that doses protect people against TWO strains of COVID-19, the original strain and the Omicron variant. Pfizer has a bivalent booster for people age 5 or older. Moderna has a bivalent booster for people age 6 or older. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.Gov.
TEMPLE POLICIES:
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• We strongly encourage everyone, including children as young as six months, to get all vaccines for COVID and the flu, including COVID boosters for which they are eligible.
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• Wearing masks is at the discretion of the individual. We recommend either surgical masks or N95/KN95 masks, as they provide the best protection. Disposable surgical masks are available at the Temple, including children-sized masks.
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• No one with COVID, flu or other respiratory symptoms (fever, chills, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea) is permitted to enter the Temple building, even if COVID is not believed to be the cause.
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• No one with a positive COVID test in the previous five days is permitted to enter the Temple building, even if asymptomatic. Until the tenth day, masks are required in the Temple for those who are asymptomatic.
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