As of this afternoon, Hingham has entered our second week in the state’s “red” COVID-19 category. DPH is reporting 395 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hingham, with an average daily case rate over the last 14 days of 11.7 (compared to a rate of 7.5 one month ago as of September 23). Hingham’s positive test rate for the last 14 days is 2.18% (compared to 1.72% one month ago as of September 23).
DPH has informed us that they will consider Hingham to be “high risk” if we remain in red for three consecutive weeks. This is our second strike. A prolonged period in the red category could negatively impact our local economy and our ability to enjoy many of the sectors and activities that have cautiously reopened over the past few months.
We are seeing an uptick in cases in the youth sports community, leading to many teams being quarantined in town. This also affects parents and other family members of participants as we are seeing household spread of COVID-19 in Hingham. So far, these cases have not resulted in large-scale impacts to Hingham Public Schools as students in our schools remain at least 6 ft. apart. However, should social distancing in classrooms change (decrease), COVID-19 cases and the number of students subject to quarantine could rise.
The Hingham Health Department continues to work with the state’s Community Tracing Collaborative and state epidemiologists to try to contain the spread of COVID-19. If you are contacted by local or state public health officials for contact tracing purposes, it is critical that you provide the information they request. If you are subject to a quarantine, a negative test will NOT lift the quarantine – you must remain home for the 14-day period and refrain from engaging in school, sports, work, and other activities.
We continue to ask all residents, businesses, and visitors to please be vigilant in following state and federal COVID-19 recommendations, especially as they relate to social distancing and face coverings.