COVID-19 case update Harwich Health Department

March 12, 2021

Weekly COVID-19 Case Update

CASES AND STATISTICS

To date there have been a total of 587 cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Harwich. As of today, we are following 5 active cases of COVID-19 in Harwich residents. Our positivity rate 1.65% which is determined by the number of tests administered. There were 911 tests administered and 15 tests were positive in the last 19 weeks. We have been designated as “green” which indicates we have less than 10 cases per 100K and greater than 10 total cases.

VACCINE UPDATE

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a new preregistration signup tool will be available for the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites starting Friday, March 12. The new system will make it easier to request and book an appointment at a mass vaccination site at a nearby location when they are available. More sites will be added to the preregistration system in the coming weeks. When preregistration launches on Friday, it will replace the current booking platforms for mass vaccination sites for online booking. The COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line will be available to help residents without internet access or with difficulty using the internet with the preregistration process.

The Administration also announced the weekly distribution of vaccine doses statewide for different providers, reminding residents that there are 170 public vaccination sites statewide in addition to health systems that are offering appointments to their patients.

More information on vaccine sites can be found at: vaxfinder.mass.gov

The Administration also announced four dedicated educator days at mass vaccination sites and updates on vaccine distribution channels.

State Distribution:

This week, the state will receive a constrained supply of about 155,000 first doses.

This week, first doses and second dose allocations (total doses), were divided among providers as follows:

Mass vaccination sites: 83,000

Hospital Providers (both private and public): 79,000

Regional Collaboratives (12 total): 38,000

Community Health Centers: 25,000

Local Boards of Health (to complete 2nd dose appointments and support 20 disproportionately impacted communities): 25,000

Educator Vaccination Days

On March 11, pursuant to a federal directive, approximately 400,000 K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts.

K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff may receive vaccine from any of the 170 public vaccine sites available on mass.gov/covidvaccine.

In an effort to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s directive for states to prioritize teacher vaccinations, the Administration will designate 4 days where the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites will only offer 1st dose appointments for K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff.

These dates are: Saturday, March 27, Saturday, April 3, Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11

Workers in this group must use the pre-registration system to request an appointment at one of the seven mass vaccination sites and attest they are a K-12 educator, childcare worker or K-12 school staff.

LOCAL EFFORTS

Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, comprised of Cape Cod Healthcare (CCHC), Barnstable County (BC), Cape Cod Delegation, the towns and community health centers of Cape Cod, with support from Cape Cod Community College (4Cs), have established a large-scale vaccination site at the Cape Cod Community College gymnasium. Cape Cod Healthcare and Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will operate the vaccination site as of March 1. It will have the capacity to administer more than 750 vaccines per day, five days per week, pending supply from the state.

With support from councils on aging, police, fire, and other departments in their respective towns, local boards of health are working to identify the most vulnerable older adults in each of their individual municipal boundaries. Elder Services of Cape Cod (the region's ASAP) is also being consulted to cross-reference and reach all vulnerable older adults.

The most up to date and valuable information on vaccination is found at: https://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/vaccine-information

HOMEBOUND and VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

Boards of health within each town will identify vulnerable older adults by town via the below plan to efficiently administer the vaccine to older adults left behind by the current vaccine offerings. Vulnerable older adults will be identified into two tracks:

1. Track One: Individuals who need assistance making a vaccination appointment but are able to travel to Cape Cod Community College. Track One individuals include those who are medically vulnerable and/or with limited computer abilities or access.

a. This list will be provided to Cape Cod Healthcare, who will proactively reach out to and schedule these appointments at the Cape Cod Community College site.

2. Track Two: Individuals who are homebound, who do not drive, reside in senior housing, have other confining/limiting factors, etc.

a. This list will be provided to Catchment Area Leads (Outer Cape Health Services; Community Health Center of Cape Cod; Town of Barnstable), who will proactively reach out to and schedule appointments at community health centers, home visits, regional sites, or another location. Homebound is defined as Residents of Barnstable County that have functional impairments that prevent them from leaving their homes. This population generally includes older people with lower-than-average income levels and serious medical problems like dementia, advanced heart conditions, or arthritis. Pertaining to COVID-19, this elder residential demographic is designated as homebound due to these medical challenges/disabilities.

TRAVEL ORDER UPDATE

Persons Who Have Been Completely Vaccinated for COVID-19: Individuals who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, more than 14 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts. COVID-19 vaccinated individuals arriving in Massachusetts must have documentation of their vaccination(s), including the date(s) of administration, available if asked. This exception does not include vaccinated individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19, who must follow all testing and quarantine guidance outlined in the travel rules.

TESTING

For testing options at Outer Cape Health, please call 508-905-2888 in advance to make a testing appointment.

Testing is available in other locations 7 days per week through Cape Cod Healthcare. Call the Community Testing Line at 508-534-7103 to make an appointment.

Meggan Eldredge

Assistant Town Administrator/Interim Health Director