Hingham COVID-19 case numbers rising steadily; testing efforts ramping up

December 15, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer

Hingham continues to experience a sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases.

"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 142 new COVID-19 cases during the 14-day period reported on Dec. 9, compared to 44 cases over the two-week period reported on Nov. 25," Town Administrator Tom Mayo reported to the Select Board during his weekly update.

He also noted that hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have been on the rise in the state since mid-November.

"In light of these troubling trends, we are asking everyone to continue to take precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19," Mayo said.  "Public health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and frequently washing hands, among other measures."

Vaccinations

* The overall vaccination rate for Hingham is now 77 percent. Considering only vaccine-eligible individuals in Hingham (residents ages 5 and over), the percentage of fully-vaccinated eligible residents is 82 percent.

* According to MDPH, about 59 percent of Hingham residents ages 5 to 11 have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and currently about 21 percent of residents ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated.

* The Hingham Health and Fire Departments are working to organize a regional vaccine booster clinic with the Town of Cohasset on Tues., January 4.  The clinic will take place at South Shore Baptist Church in Hingham and will offer Moderna booster shots to residents from Hingham and Cohasset.  More details, including how to register, will be available soon.

* "There's also a possibility the town may hold a mini-clinic for Hingham residents only on Tuesday, Dec. 28,  with limited booster shots available," Mayo said.

Other local resources

* A drive-up vaccine clinic operates at the Marshfield Fair Grounds on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer first and second vaccine doses and booster shots are available at this location. To make an appointment, visit www.marshfield-ma.gov. Shots are also available without an appointment while supplies last.  Those without appointments should arrive before 2 p.m.

The holiday schedule for the Marshfield clinic will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during Christmas week (Dec. 21-23) and New Year's week (Dec 28-30) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

*CVS and Walgreens in Hingham are offering vaccines by appointment only.

Testing

"Governor Charlie Baker announced on Monday that 102 municipalities in the Commonwealth with the highest proportion of families at or below the poverty level are receiving iHealth Labs OTC at-home rapid antigen test kits during the initial distribution period," Mayo said. Hingham is not among those communities.

However, the state is offering lab-based PCR home test kits at no cost to eligible Massachusetts adults ages 18 and over who live or work in a congregate setting, are experiencing symptoms, have recently been in contact with someone with COVID-19, or who have otherwise been recommended for testing. Visit the Pixel by LabCorp for Massachusetts webpage at https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/ma-testing for details and to request a test kit.

CVS locations that are offering COVID-19 testing include the CVS on Commercial Street in Weymouth, the CVS on Rockland Street in Hanover, and the CVS on Main Street in South Weymouth.  Many Walgreens locations are also offering testing -- check online for appointments.

"Now that the town knows that we will not be recipients of a viable state testing solution, we will be investigating other local solutions and hope to report back next week on a testing plan," Mayo said.

Information provided by the town.