Friday April 16, 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Advisory Information
Although the number of new positive Covid-19 cases have been decreasing during the past two weeks as illustrated in the graph below, the Town of Barnstable continues to be classified as “red” (high risk). During the past fourteen days, the Health Division received 241 new positive COVID-19 case reports of residents of the Town of Barnstable who recently contracted Coronavirus. This calculates to an average of 17.2 cases per day.
Since last March 2020, a total of 3,989 residents of the Town have tested positive for COVID-19. In all fifteen towns of Barnstable County, there have been a total of 13,022 positive cases (cumulatively) and 454 deaths from Coronavirus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 626,550 positive cases in Massachusetts and 17,087 deaths from COVID-19 in the State. In the United States, 31,495,924 persons contracted the virus and a total of 565,289 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 decreased during recent weeks in Barnstable County. As of yesterday April 15 2021 Cape Cod Healthcare reported twenty-two (22) patients who were being treated in their two hospitals (Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital), including five (5) patients in intensive care.
Beginning on Monday April 19th the general public, including anyone 16 years of age and older, will become eligible for Covid-19 vaccinations. 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 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,.
We continue to 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