March 18, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
Hingham has remained in the medium-risk COVID-19 "yellow" zone for the past two months, with 42 new cases since last week's Massachusetts Department of Public Health report.
Last week's MDPH report showed 46 new cases, with 45 the previous week and 41 the week before that. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Hingham since Jan. 1, 2020 is 1,699.
There were 81 new cases reported in the last 14 days, as compared with 85 last week, 88 the previous week, and 82 the week before that.
The number of new Hingham COVID-19 cases reported each Thursday continues to remain relatively stable.
Vaccine rollout and Hingham's reopening plans
According to MDPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, more than 946,000 people in Massachusetts had been fully vaccinated as of March 16.
"MDPH has started to report vaccination rates by community each week," Town Administrator Tom Mayo told the Selectmen this week. "As of March 11, approximately 14 percent of Hingham's residents had been fully vaccinated. This is great news."
At this time, all Phase 1 priority groups as well as some Phase 2 priority groups are eligible to receive the vaccine in Massachusetts. Eligible Phase 2 individuals include:
* People age 65 and older;
* Individuals with two or more certain medical conditions;
* Residents and staff of low-income and affordable senior housing; and
* K-12 and early childhood educators, child care workers, and K-12 school staff.
Dates for all phases were released this week.
"Every resident will [now] know when they are eligible for a vaccine," Mayo said. "This information will contribute to the town’s reopening plans."
Hingham town officials continue to closely monitor public health data, including the new community vaccination rates statistics, and continue to assess plans to reopen public buildings. "We look forward to reporting back to the board and the public on specific plans at a future meeting," Mayo said.
It’s important for everyone to continue using all the tools available "to help stop this pandemic, such as covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least six feet away from others," Mayo said.
Reminders
* The Hingham Health Department posts weekly COVID-19 data from the MDPH and the Hingham Public Schools in a dashboard that is updated every Friday at https://www.hingham-ma.gov/860/COVID-19-Updates. All cases are laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.
* Visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=940 for Updated COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance.