Fourteen Day Average Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable
During the past fourteen days, the average daily incidence rate has again increased in the Town of Barnstable as demonstrated in the graph (see right side of graph). The Town of Barnstable Health Division received 1,207 reports of positive COVID-19 Town of Barnstable residents’ cases during the past two weeks. This calculates to an average daily incidence rate of 86.2 new cases per day (192.6 per 100,000), the highest incident rate on record since this pandemic began.
Cape Cod Hospitalizations
Yesterday, on January 20th, Cape Cod Healthcare reported sixty-five (65) patients were being treated at their two hospitals, Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital, for COVID-19. Seven (7) of the 65 patients were in the intensive care unit. Although hospitalizations have attained high levels comparable to last year’s winter surge, fatalities remain below the peaks seen during prior surges when vaccinations were not broadly available.
Local, County, State, and National Cumulative Case and Death Counts
A cumulative total of 8,205 Town of Barnstable residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date. In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 30,988 confirmed cases and a total of 587 deaths cumulatively; this includes ten (10) additional deaths in Barnstable County since last Friday. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 1,404,214 positive cases in the State of Massachusetts and 20,782 deaths from COVID-19 cumulatively to date in the State. In the United States overall, according to the John Hopkins University, there have been 69,309,309 positive Covid-19 patients to date, resulting in 860,248 total deaths nationwide.
MA Hospitalizations/ Number of Patients Fully Vaccinated When Contracting COVID-19
According to today’s Massachusetts Department of Public Health report, on January 19th, there were 3,144 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Of those 3,144 patients, 1,503 patients (48%) were reported to be fully vaccinated for COVID -19 when they contracted COVID-19.
Number of Deaths in MA & Average Age of Death in Massachusetts
Today’s Massachusetts Department of Public Health report indicated that 86 new, confirmed deaths of Massachusetts residents during the past week. (This brings the cumulative total to 20,782 confirmed deaths in Massachusetts.) The average age of death was 74 years old during the past week.
Vaccinations of Barnstable County Residents
Our vaccination percentage rate continues to be one of the highest compared to other Massachusetts counties. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported this week that ninety-four percent (94%) of our Barnstable County residents who were eligible to receive vaccinations (ages 5 and older) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Eighty-two (82%) of our age- eligible (ages 5 and older) residents are fully vaccinated.
Booster Vaccinations
55% of the fully vaccinated Barnstable County residents recently received a booster dose. This reflects one of the highest booster vaccination percentage rates compared to other counties within Massachusetts (excluding the islands). It also should be noted that Massachusetts has a high population booster vaccination rate at 49%, compared to 39% of the national population.
Pandemic Will Likely Become Endemic
Scientists predict Covid-19 will likely lose its “pandemic” status sometime this year due largely to rising global vaccination rates and due to the developments of antiviral Covid-19 pills that have become more widespread. Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House medical adviser, recently indicated the coronavirus pandemic won’t end with the elimination of the virus. Instead, he stated a less dangerous and disruptive strain of this virus will likely take hold and become endemic.
Town of Barnstable – Continued Daily Response
The Town will continue to follow the orders and directives provided by of our Massachusetts Governor and protocols provided by the State Department of Public Health. Key officials of the Town continue to meet twice weekly, and more often as needed, to share information relative to case numbers, hospitalizations, trends and scientific changes associated with the virus, information regarding new variants, CDC and State guidance/directives, and to plan and provide additional preventative measures and services.
The Health Division will continue to closely follow the MA Department of Public Health guidelines in regards to prioritizing the case work. Our Public Health Nurse and hourly contract nurses continue to contact those who become infected to ensure they are appropriately isolated, advise individuals regarding proper quarantining, and ensuring schools are notified of any positive students. Health Division staff continue to meet twice weekly to plan and implement actionable preventative measures and to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), requirements provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and orders provided by the Massachusetts Governor.
Recommendations
The Health Division continues to suggest residents follow the CDC prevention strategies such as wearing a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high community transmission, washing your hands frequently, physically distancing from others, and by getting fully vaccinated. We also encourage getting a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose for those who are eligible.
This report is updated on a weekly basis. If you should have any questions, please feel free to call us at the Town of Barnstable Health Division Office at 508 862 4644.