News Flash

COVID-19 Data

• According to public health data from the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) released last week, the Town’s designation remains “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” of spread in the community. 
• The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Hingham is 39.0 per 100,000 residents, and our percent positivity rate was 3.86% for the previous 14 days.
• Even though these numbers are lower than what was reported for our community last week, Hingham’s average daily incidence rate and percent positivity rate are higher than the state averages for this reporting period, indicating a need for continued vigilance.
• According to DPH, there have been 131 new cases of COVID-19 in Hingham over the past 14 days. There have been a total of 1,479 cases in Hingham since the start of the pandemic.
• As of today, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts have risen to 531,702.

Virus Variants

• DPH continues to conduct surveillance for COVID-19 variants of concern, which include the three that were first identified in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil, respectively.
• Surveillance data so far has identified the UK variant in Massachusetts, but does not indicate that it is widespread at this time.  It is critical that we do everything possible to minimize the spread of this variant and other variants of concern.
• Per the CDC: So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway.
• Public health risk reduction measures remain the same: please continue to wear masks or face coverings while in public, maintain 6-foot social distancing, stay home when you are sick, and get tested if you have symptoms or are identified as a close contact.
• The mPathy testing center at 308 Cushing Street remains open Mondays through Saturdays from 7am-4pm.  Testing appointments can be easily scheduled online at www.mpathy.org. 

Vaccine Rollout

• At this time, all Phase 1 priority groups as well as individuals age 75 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine in Massachusetts. 
• According to DPH’s daily COVID-19 vaccine report, a total of 861,859 first doses and 304,657 second doses have been administered in Massachusetts as of today.  76.4% of the total doses shipped to our state have been reported as administered. 
• Local vaccine distribution is dependent on receiving doses from DPH.  Unfortunately, our most recent requests for vaccine doses have not been fulfilled.  
• The Hingham Health Department continues to request vaccines from the state each week.  We will need to wait until we are provided with more doses before we can schedule additional clinics in Hingham.  We will release details on future vaccination clinics as soon as additional doses are received. 
• In the meantime, if you can access a COVID-19 vaccine through other means, you should do so.  
• We encourage eligible residents to make an appointment at one of the vaccination sites around the region. Information on available clinics and eligibility requirements can be found at mass.gov by clicking the COVID link.
• Last week, DPH announced that vaccine appointments were available at CVS pharmacies around the Commonwealth through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.  Please visit www.cvs.com to schedule an appointment.  The closest participating CVS pharmacies include CVS locations in Weymouth and Braintree. 
• If you end up receiving the vaccine through another organization and no longer need to be on the Town of Hingham list, please let us know by emailing CovidQuestions@hingham-ma.gov.