Hospital Admission Level Designation – Low
Barnstable County is currently classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as being at a low COVID-19 hospital admission level (7.2 per 100,000 population). As of October 7, 2023, a total of twenty-three (23) patients were being treated for COVID-19 at Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital. One of the twenty-three patients was in intensive care at the time.
Reported Case Counts and Deaths
Town of Barnstable: 92 new cases during the last two weeks. Average daily incidence rate 13.4 cases per day per 100,000 HIGHER; positivity rate 13.59% HIGHER.
Barnstable County: 327 new cases in the last two weeks; 10.2 cases per day per 100.000 LOWER; 12.26% positivity LOWER.
Massachusetts: 25,604 confirmed deaths since July 2nd; 18 confirmed deaths in the last two weeks; 73.1 cases per 100,000 LOWER; 0.83% positivity LOWER.
Average Daily Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable
The fourteen-day average daily incidence rate of Town of Barnstable residents increased to 6.6 new cases per day (13.4 per 100,000 population).
National Update
Deaths and hospitalizations in the United States decreased by 3.8% and 8.21%, respectively, compared to the previous week according to data provided by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Global Update
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally the number of new cases decreased by 55% during the 28-day period of August 28 through September 24, 2023, as compared to the previous 28-day period. The number of new deaths decreased by 34% as compared to the previous 28-day period, with over 1900 fatalities reported.
Prevention Measures
The following prevention measures are recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:
- Get Vaccinated- Everyone 6 months & older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine (recommended doses vary by age and immune status).
- Wash Your Hands – Keeping your hands clean is the best way to get rid of germs and stop the spread of germs to others. You can get germs on your hands by simply touching a doorknob, pressing an elevator button, grabbing a pole on public transit, or shaking hands. Once these germs are on your hands, touching your mouth or nose to eat, sneeze, or cough or touching your eyes can make you sick.
- Mask Up if you need to. Wearing a mask provides protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces.
- Get tested if you develop any symptoms. Learn to recognize signs and symptoms of respiratory illnesses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV. If you have those symptoms, get tested.
- Get Treatment if you are COVID positive and have any symptoms, talk to your doctor right away or use Massachusetts’ quick and free telehealth service available at https://www.mass.gov/get-treated-for-covid-19
- Stay home when you have symptoms of any respiratory illness. Staying home helps prevent the spread of germs.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas McKean, RS, CHO,
Director of Public Health
TOWN OF BARNSTABLE