Monday August 16, 2021
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The number of new reports of positive Coronavirus cases in Barnstable has begun to slowly increase during the past several weeks. During the past fourteen days, the Health Division received eighty (80) new positive COVID-19 case reports, which calculates to an average daily incidence rate of 5.7 cases per day. As demonstrated in the graph below, this is significantly less compared to the average daily incidence rates experienced during the first four months of this year.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations remain relatively low and are far below what has been seen during prior case surges. This is due to the efficacy of the vaccines at preventing severe illness and hospitalizations among cases.
As of Thursday August 12th, Cape Cod Healthcare reported a total of eight (8) patients who were being treated in their two hospitals, Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital. One of the eight patients was in an intensive care unit.
The Delta Variant and the Provincetown Cluster
The spread of the Delta variant has been associated with increasing cases numbers across our region and the state. It is interesting to look at the data from a recent cluster of 1,060 cases in Provincetown, which began after the July 4th holiday week-end. 75% of the Massachusetts cases were among fully vaccinated persons. 88% of the cases were symptomatic; however in most cases the symptoms were mild. A total of seven (7) hospitalizations were associated with this cluster, six of whom were fully vaccinated. There were no fatalities associated with the Provincetown cluster.
Local, County, State, and National Cumulative Case Counts
A total of 4,376 Town of Barnstable residents have tested positive for COVID-19 cumulatively to date. In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 14,898 positive cases and a total of 485 deaths from Coronavirus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 684,836 positive cases cumulatively in the State of Massachusetts and 17,761 deaths from COVID-19. In the United States, there have been a cumulative total of 36,306,963 cases and a total of 619,093 deaths from Coronavirus.
Vaccinations
Barnstable County has one of the highest vaccination percentage rates compared to the other counties in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported this week eighty-five percent (85%) of our Barnstable County residents who are eligible to receive vaccinations (ages 12 and older) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and seventy seven percent (77%) of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.
More than sixty-seven (67) vaccination clinics were held during the past six months by the Town of Barnstable at the Barnstable Adult Community Center (formerly known as the Senior Center), at 200 Main Street, at multiple senior housing complexes, apartment buildings, and at outdoor pop-up sites. In addition all five fire departments worked together, under the coordination of the Hyannis Fire Department, to provide vaccinations to our homebound residents.
Moving Forward
The Town will continue to follow the orders and directives of Massachusetts Governor Baker. Under the leadership of Town Manager Mark Ells, key officials of the Town continue to meet twice weekly to share communications relative to recent trends and scientific changes associated with the virus, guidance and directives, as well as effectively administering the multitude of policies and programs in step with the Town’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan as approved by the Town Council. Schools and childcare centers continue to be subject to guidance from DESE and the MA Department of Public Health. Information is available at these websites:
- K-12 Schools: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/
- Childcare/Early Education: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/eec-covid-19-resources-updates-and-information
Health Division
Health Division staff continue to meet twice weekly to ensure we are providing enforcement and guidance in step with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requirements, and the Governor’s orders.
Our Public Health Nurse and 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.
Requirements and Recommendations
We continue to advise everyone to continue to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and State requirements and/or recommendations which include to:
- Wear a face covering while indoors at a medical office and at public transportation venues (i.e. while on a bus, taxi, plane, ship, train) as required by State and Federal laws.
- Frequently wash hands for 20 seconds with soap;
- Provide cough hygiene; cough 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.
- Wear a face covering while indoors at retail stores and other businesses where/if requested by store management.
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