May 7, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer
There were 15 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham since last week's Massachusetts Department of Public Health report, with the town remaining in the lower-risk "yellow" COVID-19 zone for the 18th consecutive week.
This week's number is down from 22 reported positive cases on April 22, 44 the previous week, and 31 the week before that.
There were 43 new COVID-19 cases reported in the last 14 days, down from 72 last week, and 80 the prior week. The total number of COVID-19 cases in Hingham since Jan. 1, 2020 is 1,944.
As of April 29, approximately 42 percent of Hingham residents have been fully vaccinated, up from 36 percent last week, according to Town Administrator Tom Mayo.
On May 5, a team of Hingham Health and Fire Department staff administered the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to seven homebound residents.
"The State’s Homebound Vaccination Program is another resource for individuals who may require in-home vaccinations because they are unable to leave their home to get to a vaccination site, even with assistance," Town Administrator Tom Mayo told the Selectmen this week. Individuals can contact the Homebound Vaccination Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485 to schedule an in-home vaccination through the state.
Updated State Reopening Guidance
Mayo also provided state reopening guidance updates:
* As of last Friday, April 30, Gov. Charlie Baker relaxed the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings:
* In particular, face coverings will be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times they are required by sector-specific guidance.
"However, please note that face coverings will continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking," Mayo said. "In line with this guidance, masks are still required at Annual Town Meeting on Saturday (May 8)."
* Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places.
* At smaller gatherings in private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required.
* Additional changes will go into effect on Monday, May 10, impacting large venues such as stadiums, arenas, amusement and theme parks, road races, sports tournaments, and indoor singing.
*Changes potentially going into effect on Saturday, May 29, may increase the gathering limits to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, and in public and private settings.
"As reported last week, subject to public health and vaccination data, the state may lift all industry restrictions as of August 1," Mayo said.
Reminders:
* The mPathy COVID-19 testing center at 308 Cushing St. is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Preference for Hingham residents and town employees will still be given between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. each testing day. Appointments may be made online at https://www.mpathy.org/schedule Walk-ins are also accepted.
* 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.