Since July 1st 2021 we have seen marked case increases in Barnstable County. In addition, Provincetown has a case cluster associated with it which has boosted Barnstable County new case figures significantly.
At the end of July, case increases were in nearly all Cape Cod Towns and are not necessarily associated with the Provincetown Cluster. Cases had also increased on the Islands, particularly on Nantucket.
The spread of the Delta variant (which emerged in India several months ago) is likely causing this resurgence in cases across Cape Cod and on the Islands, and is definitely implicated in the Provincetown Cluster. The Mass. Dept. of Public Health (DPH) is investigating further. Cases are being seen amongst both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, and this variant is more transmissible ("easier to catch") than the other Variants of Concern. The Delta variant appears to be responsible for 83% of new cases nationwide, and 68% of new cases in the Northeast Corridor (source: CDC).
New Cases on the Cape and Islands (includes Cluster and non-Cluster Cases): on 7/29/21 the DPH reported the following new case numbers corresponding to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for all towns in the three counties:
Barnstable County: 92 new cases;
Martha's Vineyard: 0 new cases;
Nantucket: 14 new cases;
On 7/21/21 a temporary mask advisory was reinstated for the Community and Government Center and Tribal Properties.
At a minimum, for everywhere else on the Cape and Islands, it is advised that all unvaccinated persons, including children, are advised to mask indoors in public spaces and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.
It is recommended that all persons, vaccinated or not, experiencing COVID symptoms or having had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID be tested themselves. Guidance on testing, isolation, and quarantine can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-quarantine-information
Test Positivity Rates (14-day average, as of 7/17/21):
Barnstable County: 2.31% (vs. 1.05%) (higher vs. previous fortnight. This rate expected to continue higher)
Dukes County: 2.17% (vs. 0.90%) (higher)
Nantucket County: 1.46% (vs. 0.28%) (higher)
State of MA: 0.88% (vs. 0.51%) (higher)
PPE support currently available weekly for Tribal Community/Contact Food Pantry Tue 12-4/Wed 12-4/Thu 12-4 (508) 477-0208 Ext 189
In the event of a positive case with PPE or food delivery needs, please contact MWT Emergency Management (508) 477-0208 Ext 103
