Decrease in the Fourteen Day Average Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable
During the past fourteen days, the daily incidence rate has again significantly decreased in the Town of Barnstable as demonstrated in the graph below (see right side of graph) to an average of 10.9 new cases per day (equivalent to 24.4 per 100,000) in the Town of Barnstable.
Local, County, State, and National Cumulative Case and Death Counts
A cumulative total of 9,120 Town of Barnstable residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date. In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 34,233 confirmed cases and a total of 668 deaths cumulatively; this includes twelve (12) additional deaths in Barnstable County during the past seven days. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 1,536,565 positive cases in the State of Massachusetts and 22,626 deaths from COVID-19 cumulatively to date in the State. In the United States overall, according to the John Hopkins University, there have been 78,799,264 positive Covid-19 patients cumulatively to date, resulting in 944,831 total deaths nationwide as of February 25th.
Cape Cod Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19 has decreased at Cape Cod Healthcare. Two days ago on February 23rd, Cape Cod Healthcare reported there were a total of five (5) patients who were being treated for COVID-19 at their two hospitals, Falmouth Hospital and Cape Cod Hospital. Two (2) of the five patients were in the intensive care unit.
MA Hospitalizations/ Number of Patients Fully Vaccinated When Contracting COVID-19
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health report, on February 23rd, there were 512 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Of those 512 patients, 282 patients (55%) 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 there were 48 new, confirmed deaths of Massachusetts residents during the past week. The average age of death was 75 years old during the past week.
Vaccinations of Barnstable County Residents
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported this week that ninety-five percent (95%) of our Barnstable County residents who were eligible to receive vaccinations (ages 5 and older) received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Eighty-four (84%) of our age- eligible (ages 5 and older) residents are fully vaccinated. Our vaccination percentage rate continues to be one of the highest compared to other Massachusetts counties.
Booster Vaccinations
58% of the fully vaccinated Barnstable County residents recently received a booster dose. In Massachusetts overall, 53% of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose, compared to 43% of the national population.
Town of Barnstable – Continued Response
Key officials of the Town continue to meet twice weekly and more often as needed to plan ahead and implement actions relative to recommended changes in response to decreased or increased case numbers, hospitalizations, death rates, scientific changes associated with the virus, information regarding new variants, CDC and State guidance and directives.
Health Division staff continue to meet twice weekly to ensure we are providing the most up-to-date measures and services in line with guidance information provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Our Public Health Nurse and hourly contract nurses continue to follow the MA Department of Public Health guidelines in regards to prioritizing case work by only contacting those who become infected to ensure they are appropriately isolating at home, advising management of congregate settings regarding case clusters, and ensuring schools are notified of any positive students.
Recommendations
The Health Division continues to suggest residents should follow the CDC prevention strategies such as 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.
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas A. McKean, RS, CHO
Director of Public Health