News Flash

COVID-19 Data

• As of yesterday, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts totaled 657,119.
• The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the state has been trending downward since early April.  The statewide positivity rate is also down to 1.02% and the 7-day average of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 has dropped to 8.3 from a peak of around 175.
• According to public health data from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) released last week, the Town’s designation is now “green,” indicating a “lower risk” of spread in the community. 
• There have been 24 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham over the past 14 days, and a total of 1,953 cases in Hingham since the start of the pandemic.  
• The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Hingham dropped to 14.1 per 100,000 residents, and our percent positivity rate was 1.16% for the previous 14 days.

Vaccine Rollout

• According to DPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, over 3.2 million people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated as of today.    
• Connecticut and Massachusetts are leading the way nationwide in terms of percent of the population that is fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University. CT is at 44.8% and MA is at 44.2%. 
• As of May 11^th, approximately 51% of Hingham residents have been fully vaccinated.  We are proud of everyone and want to thank you for taking vaccination seriously and we hope to see that number continue to rise.   

COVID-19 Testing Center

• Back in December, the Town partnered with mPathy LLC to open a COVID-19 testing center at 308 Cushing Street. 
• The mPathy testing center has administered more than 19,000 tests for Hingham residents and our neighbors from nearby communities through the month of April.  
• We are very grateful to Hingham resident Jackson Stone and his entire mPathy team as well as to the Town staff and officials who worked diligently to make this service possible.  
• As usage of the site has decreased significantly in recent weeks we will be closing the site and the last day for testing will be this Saturday, May 22, 2021.  
• If you still need a COVID-19 test after this Saturday, tests are available at CVS locations in Hingham, Weymouth, and Norwell; Walgreens locations in Weymouth and Rockland; and the CareWell Urgent Care Center in Norwell, among other places.

State Reopening Guidance

• As most people have heard, Governor Baker made a significant announcement about COVID-19 and reopening plans for Massachusetts yesterday. 
• The Baker-Polito Administration announced that the Commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29^th.
• This means that effective May 29^th, all industries will be permitted to open, all industry restrictions will be lifted, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded.
• The state encourages industries to continue to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene protocols. 
• The Commonwealth’s Face Covering Order will also be rescinded on May 29^th. 
• However, face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
• Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings. 
• In making his announcement, the Governor reported that new COVID-19 cases have dropped by 89% since January 8^th, COVID hospitalizations are down 88% since January 1^st, and the positive test rate is down by 88% from its peak of 8.7% on January 1^st.
• Governor Baker also plans to end the State of Emergency on June 15^th.  
• The state has pledged to work with legislative and municipal partners during this period to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency.
• This change has many implications for Town operations, so we are working with counsel to understand and prepare for this transition.
• For more information regarding the Governor’s reopening plan, please visit mass.gov

Local COVID update

• The Town’s Incident Management Team Command Group that works together to determine the best approach the Town should take on COVID related matters has met and determined that given the Governor’s order lifting COVID restrictions on May 29^th, the July 4^th parade would be allowed.  The parade committee will work with the Health Department to determine appropriate measures to help mitigate risk during the event.