Friday March 26. 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory Information
The Town of Barnstable continues to be classified as “red” (high risk). During the past fourteen days, the Health Division received 405 new positive COVID-19 case reports of residents of the Town of Barnstable who recently contracted Coronavirus. This calculates to an average of 28.9 cases per day, as depicted in the daily incidence rate graph below.
Since last March 2020, a total of 3,540 residents of the Town have tested positive for COVID-19. In all fifteen towns of Barnstable County, there have been a total of 11,580 positive cases (cumulatively) and 437 deaths from Coronavirus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 586,298 positive cases in Massachusetts and 16,671 deaths from COVID-19 in the State. In the United States, 30,079,974 persons contracted the virus and a total of 546,825 persons in the United States have died from the virus according to data received from the John Hopkins University website.
Hospitalizations of patients infected with this virus have increased during the past two weeks in Barnstable County. As of yesterday, Cape Cod Healthcare reported thirty-two (32) positive patients who were being treated in their two hospitals (Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital), including three (3) patients in intensive care.
Groups eligible for vaccination now include K-12 and early education/childcare teachers and certain workers who were formerly identified as “essential workers” [see table below]), depending upon availability of vaccine. It also continues to include those who are in Phase 1 and Phase 2 age 60 years of age and older, and caregivers regardless of age accompanying those who are 75 years of age or older person to their vaccination appointments at DPH mass vaccination sites.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a timeline for remaining groups who will become eligible for vaccination as follows:
- March 22nd : Residents 60+ and certain workers (see https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccinations-for-certain-workers)
- April 5th : Residents 55+ and residents with one certain medical condition
- April 19th: General public ages 16 years of age and older
As part of the Town of Barnstable’s role in the Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, our Council on Aging Division (Barnstable Adult Community Center) is identifying vulnerable adults over 65 left behind by the current vaccine offerings, specifically individuals who need assistance making vaccination appointments but are able to travel to Cape Cod Community College. In an effort to expand upon the robust information our Council on Aging currently has, we are asking anyone in this group to provide name and phone number, by emailing that information to: COACovid@town.barnstable.ma.us.
You may also call 508-862-4024 and leave your name and phone number.
Key officials of the Town continue to meet daily to plan and implement proper actions which are in step with the Governor’s orders and MA DPH guidelines. Health Division staff continue to meet and coordinate daily to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date information to citizens and business owners relative to re-openings in compliance with the latest Massachusetts requirements and recommendations. Health inspectors continue to investigate and respond to complaints, conduct food establishment inspections, swimming pool inspections, horse stable inspections, rental unit inspections, witness percolation tests, conduct inspections at businesses which store or utilize hazardous materials, review disposal works construction permit (septic system) applications, and review building permit applications,.
During this current increase, we urge everyone to follow the State guidelines and to take these basic precautions which include:
- Stay at home from work, school, sports and other activities when ill.
- Wear a face covering while out in public where social distancing is not possible per the Governor’s order;
- Frequent hand-washing, for 20 seconds with soap;
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Cough hygiene – into a tissue when possible (throw it away immediately) or into your arm.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with those who are ill.
- Stay home to isolate or quarantine when contacted and required by the Board of Health.
Our Public Health Nurse and team of contract nurses continue to contact those who become infected to ensure they are appropriately isolated and to contact individuals who have come into contact with them to take the required quarantine precautions.
If you should have any questions, call us at the Town of Barnstable Health Division Office at 508 862 4644.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas A. McKean, RS, CHO
Director of Public Health