May 6, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
The number of coronavirus cases in Hingham -- as reported by the Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health today, May 6 -- reached 186 this week, up from 148 reported on April 29.
Assistant Town Administrator Michelle Monsegur noted that the overall number of COVID-19 cases is going up statewide -- "that still seems to be the trend" -- so it's not as if Hingham is in a category of its own.
That said, statewide, the number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations has gone down, which Monsegur considers to be a good sign. "It looks like the number of cases severe enough to land one in the hospital has flattened and that the others with COVID-19 might have mild cases," she told the Hingham Anchor.
The data is imperfect, "and not the town's own data," she said. "The MDPH statistics include only those who have been tested, not potential cases involving individuals with a fever and cough who may have called their doctors but are unable to get out to get tested and were told to stay at home and to call them back if their situation gets worse."
Dozens of COVID-19 cases, including several deaths, were reported recently among residents of a senior living community and a nursing home in Hingham.
According to MDPH statistics, Linden Ponds has from 10 to 30 COVID cases, and Queen Anne Nursing Home has more than 30. Assisted living statistics are not included on the MDPH chart.
Monsegur said earlier that the expanded state COVID-19 testing, particularly in nursing homes, accounts for part of the increase in the number of reported cases in Hingham, and she confirmed today that expanded testing in nursing homes and the availability of testing to other individuals as well is still a factor.
Even with increased testing as one reason for the rise in the number of reported Hingham COVID-19 cases recently, town officials continue to believe that the current figures actually under-state the true number of cases in Hingham because MDPH’s numbers reflect only laboratory-confirmed cases (people who tested positive), but not clinical diagnoses by medical professionals without a test, people who self-diagnose and stay at home, or asymptomatic people who don’t know they have the virus and haven't been tested.
Town officials are urging residents to wear cloth face masks at all times when unable to maintain a six-foot social distance in public places, both inside and outside, in conformance with Gov. Charlie Bakers's recent order.
"COVID-19 doesn't respect town lines. We don't just live and work in Hingham," Monsegur said. "We're not insulated within the town borders, so we need to remain vigilant."
For COVID-19 updates visit hingham-ma.gov. Go to the following link on the Town of Hingham website's Health Department link for a one-page COVID-19 guidance and information sheet: https://www.hingham-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9556/Covid-19-Guidance. Residents can call the Health Department at (781) 741-1466 or email healthdirector@hingham-ma.gov with any questions or concerns.