August 4, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
There were 27 new reported COVID-19 cases in Hingham during the month of July, compared with five cases reported in June, Town Administrator Tom Mayo told the Select Board Tuesday night during a remote meeting.
"So far, one new COVID-19 case in Hingham has been confirmed in August," Mayo said. "We are keeping an eye on the troubling uptick in cases reported at the state and national levels."
Select Board member William Ramsey asked if it was known if any of the July cases involved vaccinated individuals. The breakdown is not yet available, according to Assistant Town Administrator Michelle Monsegur, but she said she will check with the Health Department.
Ramsey requested that the information be available for next week's Select Board meeting if possible. "It's been out there in the media [that some vaccinated individuals have tested positive for COVID]," he said. At the same time, Ramsey said he's pleased there's "such a high vaccination rate in Hingham."
Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher reported that he knows that at least one of the positive Hingham COVID cases involves an individual who is vaccinated. "Unfortunately, the infection rate does not discriminate between the vaccinated and the unvaccinated," he said. "But clearly [the COVID cases are] much less severe for those who are vaccinated."
As of last week, 69 percent of Hingham residents were fully vaccinated (compared with approximately 64 percent statewide).
"If you look at only vaccine-eligible individuals in town (people age 12+), the percent of fully vaccinated eligible residents rises to 82 percent," Mayo said.
He also provided an update about mask guidance. Last week, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a new mask advisory in accordance with Centers for Disease Control updated guidance.
Accordingly, fully-vaccinated individuals are advised to wear a mask or face covering when indoors (but not in their own home) if they or a member of their household have a weakened immune system, are at increased risk for severe disease because of their age or have an underlying medical condition, or a member of their household is an unvaccinated adult.
"All unvaccinated residents are advised to continue to wear masks in indoor settings and when they can’t socially distance," Mayo said.
Ramsey asked for an update about mask guidance at Town Hall. Mayo explained that unvaccinated individuals are asked to wear a face mask. "Those who are fully vaccinated are welcome to wear one as well, but they are not required to," he said. "We will be assessing the situation as we move into the coming week."
Masks are still mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems, in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
"The Hingham Health Department remains in constant contact with MDPH and continues to closely monitor COVID-19 trends and guidance," Mayo said.
...