July 17, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
There were no new laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Hingham from July 8 to July 15.
The total number of reported COVID-19 cases reported in Hingham this week was 281 -- the same number of reported cases as last week. The data for the two prior weeks was 278 and 275.
Hingham Executive Health Officer Susan Sarni put the latest Massachusetts Department of Public Health numbers in perspective. "The data on Hingham from Wednesday (July 15) is promising and shows that [from among the number of lab tests conducted], Hingham has 1.18 percent laboratory-confirmed positive tests, compared to the state -- which is at 2.25 percent," she said. "Hingham is doing really well. These numbers reflect everything the town is doing to keep its residents safe and that the Town of Hingham takes its responsibility to do so seriously."
Local numbers, including Hingham's, are released every Wednesday at 4 p.m. and are available at https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-july-14-2020/download.
For parents concerned about their children potentially returning to in-person schooling for the new school year, Sarni points out that MDPH data for children and young people under 19-years-old indicates that this age group has the lowest number of COVID-19 cases, "which is only about five percent of the total cases in the state," she said.
Sarni is a member of the Hingham Public Schools' recovery response advisory committee for the reopening of the town's public schools.
When looking at the number of positive cases in Hingham, it's important to remember that "we have many nursing homes and assisted living sites that are contained in the data when comparing Hingham to other communities," Sarni said.
The Hingham Health Department follows Massachusetts Department of Public Health protocol for releasing data. This information is posted on https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-july-14-2020/download. This link, which includes the state COVID-19 numbers, is updated daily at 4 p.m.
The town's Reopening Working Group continues to be involved with restaurants that wish to add, or expand their existing, outdoor seating under an expedited state COVID-19 process. The purpose is to ensure that all restaurants abide by social distancing, face mask, and other requirements. "We're really working to protect all our residents who are enjoying going outside to dine in our town," Sarni said.
The working group is also working with town officials on a reopening plan for Town Hall and other town buildings. Town employees have been working remotely for the past few months, but a plan is now in place that allows 50 percent of Town Hall staff to work in the building one week, and the remainder to work at Town Hall the following week, on an alternating schedule. Town buildings remain closed to the public, but town officials are working on a reopening plan.
The Health Department and Reopening Working Group are involved with any proposed outdoor event, including the upcoming Sept. 23-25 Downtown Hingham sidewalk sales and the outdoor movie nights at the Hingham Shipyard "to ensure that all events are run safely."
The group is currently working with Weir River Farm to ensure its farm-to-table program meets all COVID-19 state requirements.
"We have a really good working group, and I think Hingham is doing well because we're taking such a cautious approach," Sarni said.
Retail stores are required to follow state guidance. "Hingham businesses are doing a great job," according to Sarni.
Social distancing is also required at town beaches, and the portable rest rooms at the bathing beach are cleaned regularly by a professional company to ensure sanitization requirements are met. "So far so good," Sarni said." We haven't had any complaints."
All that said, it's up to each family to look out for their own safety when participating in or attending events or sports activities. "At the end of the day, you have to protect your own family and decide if they feel comfortable about going out [to specific places]," she said.
Sarni emphasized the need for community members to continue to maintain a social distance of six feet or more in public settings and to wear a face covering if unable to do so.