September 10, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
The total number of COVID-19 cases in Hingham since Jan. 1 reported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as of yesterday, Sept. 9, is 305 -- including a case count of nine over the past 14 days.
This moves Hingham back into the higher-risk "green" zone from the "gray" category it fell under when the weekly statistics were released on Sept. 2, which means there were less than five reported cases within the last 14 days at that time. That said, "green" is considered a lower-risk zone.
Hingham had moved from the "white" (equivalent to the current "gray" category) to the higher-risk "green" zone earlier due to a MDPH report of five COVID-19 cases in town during the last 14 days, ending Aug. 19.
The total number of cases reported on Aug. 19 was 294; Aug. 26, 296; and 298 on Sept. 2. There are overlaps in the way some of the data is collected and reported.
The addition of a small number of new reported cases can move a community into a higher-risk category.
Under the state's four-color system of categorizing the average daily test rate in the state's 351 communities over a two-week period, the other categories are: red, highest risk; and yellow, moderate risk.
Under Gov. Charlie's most recent COVID-19 order, a cross-agency COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team will be responsible for ramping up enforcement statewide -- in cooperation with local intervention -- in higher-risk communities.
The order also calls for targeted interventions and inspections by a range of agencies, with increased enforcement -- including potential fines -- to ensure businesses and residents are aware of and following COVID-19 orders.
State and Hingham officials continue to emphasize the importance of wearing face masks and social distancing, along with abiding by other COVID-19 guidelines.
Visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/860/COVID-19-Updates for COVID-19 information and updates.
Anchor Staff, This article would be more helpful if it contained demographic info about these new infections – if that info is available. Age group, etc. Thank you.
Hello Adam, Location of individual cases is not reported as part of the mapping data. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes report their data on a cumulative basis and total numbers to-date can be found on https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information. You will be able to search the data by the specific elder care facility that is of interest to you.