1/13/2022 COVID Update
Data
• Across Massachusetts, according to DPH, we are continuing to experience a large COVID-19 surge.
• DPH is reporting that the 7-day average of confirmed COVID-19 cases has recently started to come down from a peak of over 22,800 on January 8, 2022 to over 13,000 as of yesterday.
• However, other indicators like hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise. As of yesterday, the 7-day average number of COVID-19 hospitalizations was 2,870, up from 522 two months ago on November 12, 2021.
• DPH is reporting 589 new COVID-19 cases in Hingham during the 14-day period reported on 1/13/2022, compared to 234 cases over the 14-day period reported two weeks ago on 12/30/2021.
• It is important to note that many residents are now taking home-based testing which is most often not reported and therefore not in these statistics. As a result we are assuming that the actual number of positive cases is much higher than these statistics show.
• The overall vaccination rate for Hingham is now 82% (for fully vaccinated individuals). If you look at only vaccine-eligible individuals in Hingham (people age 5+), the percent of fully vaccinated eligible residents is 88%.
• According to DPH, about 61% of Hingham residents ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated at this point.
Booster Clinic
• Today, Hingham in partnership with Cohasset, Hull, and Scituate, conducted a regional drive-in COVID-19 booster clinic at South Shore Baptist Church. The clinic provided 90 doses of Moderna booster vaccine to eligible residents of these communities aged 18 or over. Thanks are due to the Health, Fire, and Police Departments from all communities who executed a successful event.
Temporary COVID-19 regional testing site
• Today, a regional COVID-19 drive through testing site, supported by Hingham, Cohasset, Hull, and Scituate, completed its second day of operation at 335 Lincoln Street in Hingham. Clinic operations have improved substantially over two days, with reduced wait times. Thanks are due to the many teams supporting the site, including the Hingham Building, DPW, Health, IT, and Police Departments, for their work in preparing the site.
• Going forward, the Testing Center will be open on Mondays, Wednesday, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 7am to 4pm.
• PCR, rapid antigen, and rapid antibody tests are available. PCR tests are provided at no cost to the patient and will be billed to a person’s insurance provider or, if uninsured, will be free. Rapid antigen and rapid antibody tests cost $129 and $75, respectively.
• Residents and employees of the Town of Hingham, Hull, Cohasset, and Scituate will continue to have priority appointment access from 7am – 11am daily.
• Online preregistration is required; no tests will be administered without an appointment. All participants will be notified of test results by email.
Public Health Protocols
• Please continue to take precautions to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. As we all know, vaccination, wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and frequently washing hands, among other measures, help protect us all from COVID-19.
• On January 7, 2022, the Hingham Board of Health issued a Health Advisory strongly recommending the use of face coverings by all patrons, visitors, and employees within any indoor space open to the public in Hingham.
• The Health Advisory is directed to all visitors and employees within any indoor space in all public places, public housing, assisted living facilities, membership associations, and workplaces in Hingham.
• The CDC and the Massachusetts DPH guidance on face coverings can be found on their respective websites.
• The Board of Health recommends the use of an N-95, KN-95, or a (non-woven, multi-ply) surgical mask. Woven cloth masks, gators, and bandanas provide significantly less protection against this airborne respiratory virus. Also remember that any face covering should be fitted closely to one’s skin to prevent unwanted gaps and leaks.