New cases of Covid-19 shot up over 100 last week, surpassing August peak numbers and matching the infection rate of last April. The Island boards of health reported that 105 people had received positive PCR tests for the coronavirus during the week ending Dec. 11.
New cases of Covid-19 shot up over 100 last week, surpassing August peak numbers and matching the infection rate of last April.
In their regular Monday update, the Island boards of health reported that 105 people had received positive PCR tests for the coronavirus during the week ending Saturday, Dec. 11. Another 21 were considered probably positive, based on over-the-counter test results.
In a subsequent email, the boards of health said 28 more people had tested positive on Sunday and Monday, following the seven days covered by the report.
Fifty-five of the 105 were people that were fully vaccinated, 37 were unvaccinated and the vaccination status of 13 was unknown, according to the report. No new clusters were reported.
Case numbers have been rising sharply for several weeks, and eclipsed a high of 97 cases recorded in the third week of August. The last time the Vineyard saw a week with more than 100 new cases was in early April.
Over the weekend, a special bus offering free vaccines and booster shots at the regional high school attracted a huge response, officials said.
Tisbury health agent Maura Valley said 1,215 vaccines and boosters were administered between Saturday and Sunday. She did not have a breakdown between first doses given to children and boosters received by adults.
Health officials hope to bring the bus back on Jan. 9, but have not yet decided whether it will be open to the general public or specifically geared to children who received their first shot this weekend, Ms. Valley said.
The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital continues to offer vaccines and boosters as well, but has been unable to meet a high demand on the Island.
Meanwhile, Chilmark and Oak Bluffs are among 102 towns statewide who will receive over-the-counter at-home rapid antigen tests starting next week. The state has purchased the iHealth Labs tests on behalf of towns that have a large proportion of families facing financial hardship.
According to a news release from the state office of health and human services, Chilmark will receive 180 tests and Oak Bluffs will receive 1,260. It will be up to the towns to determine how best to distribute these to people who need them most.
Comments
How is it possible there isn
John Aldeborgh KatamaHow is it possible there isn’t sufficient supply of vaccine? It been a year since the vaccine has been available, the government has been aggressively punishing the unvaccinated in order to force people to “get the jab” and now this! The OTC tests are almost impossible to find, the vaccine is difficult to get. I’m sorry but this is getting ridiculous.
How many are hospitalized?
LouiseHow many are hospitalized? That’s critical information to include in these updates. Covid is going to become a part of our lives the way the flu has and we shouldn’t be scared by high counts of mild cases. On an individual level, that fear can be assuaged by simply getting vaccinated to protect yourself from having a severe case that could result in hospitalization or death.
I have always wondered why we
Ron Dagostino West TisburyI have always wondered why we never know the number of hospitalizations, broken down by vaccine status. Doesn’t that seem like an important number? If <<1% of vaccinated individuals are hospitalized whereas >>1% of unvaccinated individuals end up hospitalized — wouldn’t we want to know that? I’m not saying that is the case — though I wouldn’t be surprised if it is. We really should gear those numbers in every report.
I agree. This important
Janice West TisburyI agree. This important information is impossible to find anywhere.
As one of those who got my
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyAs one of those who got a booster shot this weekend, I've got to say that I was super-impressed by the effectiveness of the organization and the professionalism and friendliness of all involved. It's even more impressive when one considers that this is a "road show": they're continually setting up in different spaces. I was warned when I showed up for my 2:30 appointment on Saturday that they were "running a little late." Nevertheless, I got my shot and was out of there at 3:10 -- and that included spending my 15 minutes in the waiting area to ensure there were no adverse reactions. (While waiting, of course I pulled out my phone and posted on Facebook that I'd been "boosted.") Kudos to all who made this happen, from those directing traffic, to those checking us in, to those giving the shots and those recording the details.
I'm currently off island and
Laurence FayettevilleI'm currently off island and I scheduled my booster shot appointment on Monday.
I get my booster Wednesday.
Low supply of vaccines and appointments is an island problem.
The hospital staff has done
Amy EdgartownThe hospital staff has done an incredible job these last 20 months, however it is unrealistic to expect one institution to care for administering all of the covid vaccines/ boosters. While they also continue to meet the demands of covid testing and attempt to keep up with their previous work loads. All this with a largely increased MV population. Clearly the nursing/ staffing shortage has effected the availability of appointments on island. Be kind, be patient. Seek alternate options.
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