New TriCounty Health Director Kirk Benge caught up with Amy in the Eagle Country 105.5 FM studio this week to offer an update on COVID-19 and local vaccination efforts. Active cases have been going down and staying low for a few weeks, reports Benge, with total active cases at 249 and confirmed cases to date at 3,452. There have been 9,500 vaccines administered in the area and that amount is expected to rapidly increase once shipments double from 700 to 1500 doses weekly. This week there is a pause on vaccinations as the vaccine shipment was held up due to ice storms in the midwest. Once TriCounty Health has confirmation of their shipment, those 65 and older or those with a qualifying health condition can schedule an appointment. The Vernal vaccines will be happening at the Uintah Conference Center and next week the Roosevelt vaccines will be happening at the old Shopko in Roosevelt. Benge says they are moving into larger spaces to ramp up the vaccination effort as more doses become available. Those in Daggett County will have an opportunity to get vaccinated in Manila on March 12th. Visit www.tricountyhealth.com for information and to schedule all appointments once open.
