News Flash

COVID-19 Data

• As of today, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts totaled 659,916.
• The 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the state has been trending downward since early April.  The statewide positivity rate is down to 0.93% and the 7-day average of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 has dropped to 6.1 from a peak of around 175.
• According to public health data from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) released last week, the Town’s designation remains “green” for the second week in a row, indicating a “lower risk” of spread in the community. 
• There have been 16 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham over the past 14 days, and a total of 1,959 cases in Hingham since the start of the pandemic.  
• The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Hingham dropped to 4.8 per 100,000 residents, and our percent positivity rate was 1.04% for the previous 14 days.

Vaccine Rollout

• According to DPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, nearly 3.5 million people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated as of today.    
• Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts continue to lead the way nationwide in terms of percent of the population that is fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University.  MA is currently over 47%. 
• As of last week, over 54% of Hingham residents have been fully vaccinated.     

COVID-19 Testing Center

• Just a reminder that the mPathy COVID-19 testing center at 308 Cushing Street is now closed.  
• If you find yourself in need of a COVID-19 test, tests are available at CVS locations in Hingham, Weymouth, and Norwell; Walgreens locations in Weymouth and Rockland; and the CareWell Urgent Care Center in Norwell, among other places.

Reopening

• All remaining COVID-19 restrictions are set to be lifted this Saturday, May 29^th, which means that all industries will be permitted to open, all industry restrictions will be lifted, capacity will increase to 100%, and the state’s gathering limit will be rescinded.
• Face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems, in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
• Non-vaccinated individuals are advised to continue wearing face masks and practice social distancing to help protect themselves and others from COVID-19. 
• Locally, Town Hall and the Senior Center will return to full in-person staffing next Tuesday, June 1^st. We anticipate reopening the building to the public shortly thereafter.  
• The Hingham Public Library will reopen to the public beginning on June 1^st.  Hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm with no capacity or time limit restrictions. Evening hours and in-person programming will resume at later dates.  Please visit the Library’s website for more details.  
• Governor Baker also announced plans to end the State of Emergency on June 15^th.  
• However, today, the Governor filed legislation to extend certain emergency measures that are set to expire on June 15 when the State of Emergency will be rescinded.
• The bill he filed will extend provisions related to the Open Meeting Law until September 1, 2021, which will allow additional time for the state to consider possible permanent changes to the Open Meeting Law to provide for greater flexibility in conducting open meetings through platforms like Zoom.
• The bill will also grant municipalities authority to extend special permits for restaurants offering outdoor dining issued under the State of Emergency through November 29, 2021.
• Finally, the bill will also extend a protection that prohibits medical providers from billing patients who have received COVID-related emergency and inpatient services for charges in excess of costs paid by their insurers.  As filed, the protection would extend until January 1, 2022.