News Flash

COVID-19 Data

• As of today, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts totaled 642,036.
• According to public health data from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) released last week, the Town’s designation remains “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” of spread in the community. 
• There have been 80 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham over the past 14 days, and a total of 1,907 cases in Hingham since the start of the pandemic.  
• The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Hingham was 23.8 per 100,000 residents, and our percent positivity rate was 2.81% for the previous 14 days.

Vaccine Rollout

• The general public ages 16+ became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts as of Monday, April 19^th. 
• According to DPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, nearly 2.4 million people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated as of today.    
• As of April 22^nd, approximately 36% of Hingham residents have been fully vaccinated, up from 27% two weeks ago.  
• Last Friday, the CDC decided to resume use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.  We were notified by DPH that all providers may resume administration of the J&J vaccine, effective immediately.  The Town had received J&J vaccines to administer to 10 homebound residents in Hingham.  Town staff are reaching back out to those residents and will move forward with administering J&J vaccines for those who are still interested.  

State Reopening Guidance

• Today, the Baker Administration announced that Massachusetts will take a number of additional steps to reopen over the next few months.
• Some of the key dates they identified are April 30^th, May 10^th, May 29^th, and August 1^st. 
• On April 30^th, the Governor will relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings:  
  1. Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance.  
  2. Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places. 
  3. Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking. 
  4. At smaller gatherings in private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required.
• Changes going into effect on Monday, May 10^th will impact large venues (stadiums, arenas), amusement and theme parks, road races, sports tournaments, and indoor singing. 
• Changes potentially going into effect on Saturday, May 29^th may increase the gathering limits to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings, and private settings.   
• Subject to public health and vaccination data, the state may lift all industry restrictions as of August 1^st.
• There are a lot of details to review and digest from today’s announcement.  We encourage everyone to read the press release on the state’s website.