COVID-19 Data
• As of today, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts totaled 662,343.
• 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 0.52% and the 7-day average of confirmed deaths from COVID-19 has dropped to 4.5 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 is now “grey” for the first time, indicating 10 or few newer cases.
• There have been 6 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham over the past 14 days, and a total of 1,965 cases in Hingham since the start of the pandemic.
• The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Hingham dropped to 1.8 per 100,000 residents, and our percent positivity rate was 0.46% for the previous 14 days.
Vaccine Rollout
• According to DPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, over 3.8 million people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated as of today.
• Vermont and Massachusetts continue to lead the way nationwide in terms of percent of the population that is fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins University, with MA at almost 53%.
• As of last week, over 59% of Hingham residents have been fully vaccinated. A few notes on particular age groups:
o The Hingham Health Department and School Department worked together to organize vaccination clinics with the state at Hingham High School and Hingham Middle School in recent weeks to successfully vaccinate over 400 students age 12 and up.
o 67% of Hingham residents ages 16-19 are full vaccinated.
o However, our Health Department noticed that the vaccination rate of Hingham residents age 75+ has started to lag behind the state average. 69% of Hingham residents 75+ are fully vaccinated compared to 90% of this age group at the state level. Our Health and Elder Services staff are working together to get messages out to our seniors to ensure they know where and how to access the COVID-19 vaccine. Local options include CVS and Walgreens locations in Hingham as well as the Hingham Center Pharmacy. The state’s mobile vaccine program is also an option. Residents looking for help accessing the COVID-19 vaccine should call the state’s Vaccination Central Intake Line at 833-983-0485. They can also contact our Senior Center staff at 781-804-2292.
Reopening & Public Meetings
• On June 1st, Town Hall and the Senior Center returned to full in-person staffing. On Monday, June 14th, Town Hall and Town Offices, the Senior Center, and the Recreation Department’s Fitness Room will reopen to the public. Unvaccinated individuals should continue wearing face masks and practicing social distancing when accessing municipal facilities. Doing so will help protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
• On June 1st, Hingham public library opened to the public during daytime hours. On Monday, June 14th, Hingham Public Library will return to a normal operating schedule and will resume evening hours. Please visit the Library’s website at https://www.hinghamlibrary.org/ for more reopening details and guidelines.
• As we reported at the last meeting, Governor Baker filed a bill on May 25, 2021 to extend provisions related to the Open Meeting Law allowing public bodies to temporarily continue to meet remotely through the summer. As of today, that legislation has not yet been approved. We understand from our state officials that it may not be approved before the state of emergency is lifted next Tuesday, June 15th.
• Starting Tuesday, June 15th, all boards/committees should be prepared to resume meeting 100% in person unless otherwise notified by our office. The Select Board is currently following proposed legislative changes to the Open Meeting Law and considering options that are available to the Board under current law.