Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The number of new reports of positive Coronavirus cases in Barnstable remains very low. For the fourth consecutive week, the average daily incidence rate of Town of Barnstable residents remains at less than one new positive case per day. During the past fourteen days, the Health Division received 11 new positive COVID-19 case reports, which calculates to an average of 0.93 new cases per day. As demonstrated in the graph below, this is significantly less than the average daily incidence rate the Town experienced at the beginning of April, when the average daily incidence rate was at 35.1 new cases per day.
A total of 4,236 Town of Barnstable residents have tested positive for COVID-19 cumulatively to date. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 664,406 positive cases cumulatively in the State of Massachusetts and 17,646 deaths from COVID-19. In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 13,969 positive cases and 471 deaths from Coronavirus. It was reported that there were two fatalities due to COVID-19 in Barnstable County during the past two weeks.
Hospitalizations of patients infected with this virus have decreased in Barnstable County. As of July 7th, Cape Cod Healthcare reported a total of three (3) patients who were being treated in their two hospitals (Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital), none required intensive care.
The Town of Barnstable Health Division and Hyannis Fire Department worked together to provide more than 67 vaccination clinics during the past six months, including at multiple senior housing complexes, apartment buildings, at the Barnstable Adult Community Center (formerly known as the Senior Center), at private homes for home-bound residents, and here at 200 Main Street.
Barnstable County has the highest vaccination percentage rate compared to all of the other counties in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported this week seventy-five percent (75%) of our Barnstable County residents (all ages) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and sixty-eight percent (68%) of our Barnstable County residents are now fully vaccinated. The calculation of the cumulative percentage of eligible residents, which is based on vaccine eligible residents only (those who are 12 years of age and older), results in a higher full vaccination rate of seventy-five percent (75%).
Key officials of the Town continue to meet twice weekly to plan and implement actions which are in step with the latest State of Massachusetts requirements. Health Division staff continue to meet and coordinate twice weekly to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date information to citizens and business owners relative to State of Massachusetts requirements and guidelines. 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,.
Our Public Health Nurse and team of contract nurses continue to telephone 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.
We continue to ask everyone to continue to follow the basic State guidelines which include:
- Wearing a face covering while indoors in public places if you are not fully vaccinated;
- Frequent hand-washing, for 20 seconds with soap;
- 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.
- Stay at home from work and other activities when ill.
- Avoid contact with those who are ill.
- Stay home to isolate or quarantine when contacted and required by the Board of Health.
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