Some MWT personnel had to isolate due to exposure and positive cases; as a result, the Emergency Management Department implemented a phase back which included a temporary building closure and a mandatory Covid test for all personnel. All MWT personnel must receive weekly PCR Covid tests at IHS, wear masks at all times, and thermal scanned before completing a daily Covid screening form.
MWT Emergency Management is in the process of deploying a team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to assist the tribe in the Covid-19 response efforts.
The spread of the Delta variant has caused this resurgence in cases across the Cape & Islands. It is the variant associated with increasing cases numbers across the region and the state. Note that approximately 20% of new cases identified via testing nationwide are among fully vaccinated persons. In MA, 30% of patients hospitalized for COVID are fully vaccinated. Again, the larger-than-expected numbers of cases among vaccinated persons are attributed to the Delta variant's presence. As such, nearly all public health authorities--national, state, and local--recommend resumption of masking in indoor public spaces, physical distancing, and continuation of handwashing and other hygienic precautions.
Mass DPH recommends 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
Please also note that, toward the end of September, CDC issued an official health advisory, distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network, on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant people to prevent serious illness, deaths, and adverse pregnancy outcomes from COVID-19. CDC recommends urgent action to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people who are pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. CDC strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccination before or during pregnancy because the benefits of vaccination outweigh known or potential risks.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management Department has been working continuously with the Mass DPH, CDC, FEMA, and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Health Service Unit (IHS) on Covid response efforts.
IHS is still offering vaccinations and Covid testing weekly. If you are not yet vaccinated, please call IHS at (508) 539-2561 to schedule your appointment. We will get through this Pandemic; let's work together to protect our tribal community and vulnerable population so that we can ALL get through safely together.
For Covid-19 resource needs such as PPE, additional information, and guidance, please contact MWT Emergency Management at 508-477-0208 Ext 103.
New updates to CDC’s COVID-19 website below:
