Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The percentage of persons who tested positive for Coronavirus has decreased during this past week to 3.15%. The number of new reports of positive Coronavirus cases in the Town of Barnstable has slightly increased, as demonstrated in the graph below (see right side of graph). During the past fourteen days, the Health Division received eighty-six (86) new positive COVID-19 case reports, which calculates to an average daily incidence rate of 6.1 cases per day. This is significantly less compared to the average daily incidence rates experienced five months ago.
Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations remain relatively stable and are 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 Tuesday August 24th, Cape Cod Healthcare reported a total of twelve (12) patients who were being treated in their two hospitals, Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital. None of the patients were in an intensive care unit.
Local, County, State, and National Cumulative Case Counts
A total of 4,462 Town of Barnstable residents have tested positive for COVID-19 cumulatively to date. In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 15,261 positive cases and a total of 487 deaths from Coronavirus. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 702,370 positive cases cumulatively in the State of Massachusetts and 17,841 deaths from COVID-19. In the United States overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there have been 38, 341,339 positive COVID-19 patients to date, resulting in 631,440 total deaths.
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-six percent (86%) 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 eight percent (78%) of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.
More than sixty-seven (67) vaccination clinics were held during the past eight months by Town of Barnstable staff. The clinics were held 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 provided by of our Massachusetts Governor. 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 recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), requirements provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and orders provided by the Massachusetts Governor.
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