View Barnstable BOARD OF HEALTH Updates HERE

Cape Cod Healthcare Relocates COVID-19 Community Testing in Hyannis

(Hyannis, MA – November 14, 2022) Cape Cod Healthcare has announced it will be relocating COVID-19 drive-through testing in Hyannis, effective November 20, from the current location on the Cape Cod Hospital campus to a revised testing site at 25 Communication Way, Hyannis. This location change is in response to ongoing construction related to the new Cape Cod Hospital tower project; a transformative step toward the future for Cape Cod Healthcare which will redefine cancer and clinical care on the Cape.

Drive-through testing will continue to be offered on the campus of Falmouth Hospital.

Effective November 20, 2022, drive-through testing will be available by appointment to everyone, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, as follows:

• 25 Communication Way (Hyannis)

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Falmouth Hospital

Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Testing appointments can be self-scheduled online through the MyChart patient portal or via phone through the Cape Cod Healthcare Community Testing Line at 508-534-7013.

The testing method utilized is an RT-PCR test, considered the gold standard for accurately detecting active COVID-19 virus in a collected specimen. Test results are currently available within approximately 24-48 hours.

Additionally, individuals who wish to be seen by a doctor for COVID-19 symptoms can seek walk-in care and testing at all Cape Cod Healthcare Urgent Care centers across Cape Cod. Rapid testing is also available at Urgent Care for individuals without symptoms seeking rapid testing for travel or health monitoring.

To learn more about COVID-19 testing, please visit Cape Cod Healthcare’s COVID-19 Resource Center at www.capecodhealth.org/coronavirus.

About Cape Cod Healthcare

Cape Cod Healthcare is the leading provider of healthcare services for residents and visitors of Cape Cod. With nearly 500 physicians, 5,400 employees and 790 volunteers, Cape Cod Healthcare is comprised of two acute care hospitals, the Cape’s leading provider of homecare and hospice services (VNA), a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, an assisted living facility, six urgent care centers and numerous health programs. For more information, visit the Cape Cod Healthcare website at http://www.capecodhealth.org. For the latest in relevant and credible healthcare news, visit http://www.capecodhealthnews.com.

August 15, 2022- Cape Cod Healthcare Implements Updated Visitor Policy
Effective August 15, 2022, visitation of patients will be expanded as follows:
 Inpatient visitation (non-COVID patients): Visitors 18 or older will be allowed
between the hours of 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. without restriction.
 Labor and Delivery: Visitors 18 and older will be allowed between the hours of
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm. One support person will be allowed throughout patient’s stay. Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required
to wear a mask.
Exceptions:

1. Critical Care: We will continue to call the critical care unit(s) from the front desk to ensure visitation is appropriate, but there will be no restriction to the number of visitors 18 or older. Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
2. Emergency Department (ED): We will continue to allow up to two visitors 18 or older in the ED at the discretion of the care team. Visitors will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
   (Hyannis, MA – August 15, 2022) As part of its continued commitment to the safety of patients and staff due to COVID-19, Cape Cod Healthcare has implemented an updated patient visitation and accompaniment policy that is in alignment with state guidance.
3. END of LIFE (including COVID-19): Two visitors at a time, 18 or older, will be allowed. The visitor(s) will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and are required to wear a mask.
4. Accompaniment: As always, in those situations where it is of benefit to either the patient or the provider for the patient to have either a caregiver or family member accompany the visitor, (one only) will be allowed. The visitor will self-screen for symptoms of respiratory illness per hospital policy and is required to wear a mask.
   Examples of these situations include but are not limited to:
    A minor accompanied by a parent or guardian
    A person with cognitive impairment, memory impairment or dementia
   accompanied by a caregiver
    A person with limited mobility accompanied by an attendant/caregiver
    A person with anxiety or phobia regarding their visit/procedure
    A person whom the provider deems necessary for the patients care and safety
   Please note: There will be NO visitors for COVID-19 positive patients outside of End-of-Life exception above.
   ANY deviation from this policy must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approved by the administrator on call prior to implementation.
   For more information, please see the Cape Cod Healthcare COVID-19 Resource Center at

Jul 29, 2022 | Board Of Health Updates

Community Level – Medium

Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable

The average daily incidence rate, calculated from case reports received during the past fourteen days, decreased in the Town of Barnstable to an average of 10.6 new COVID-19 cases per day (see right side of graph).   

Local, County, State, and Nationwide Cumulative Case and Cumulative Death Counts

A cumulative total of 10,784 Town of Barnstable residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date.  In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 41,790 confirmed cases cumulatively resulting in 621 deaths of Barnstable County residents..  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 1,803,391 positive cases in the State of Massachusetts cumulatively to date in the State, resulting in 21,176 deaths.  In the United States overall, according to the John Hopkins University, there have been 91,120,369 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively resulting in 1,029,270 deaths nationwide as of July 28th.

Hospitalizations in Barnstable County

Cape Cod Healthcare reported that on July 28th there were a total of twenty (20) patients who were being treated for COVID-19 at Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals.  One (1) of the twenty patients was in intensive care.

Hospitalizations in Massachusetts 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, on July 26 there were a total of 171 patients primarily hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts.  In total, there were 616 patents hospitalized with COVID -19.  Of those 616 patients, 372 patients (60%) were reported to be fully vaccinated when they contracted COVID-19.  

Deaths of Massachusetts Residents During the Past Week

There were thirty-eight (38) new, confirmed deaths of Massachusetts residents during the past seven days.  The average age of death was 77 years old.  

Booster Status/  Percentage of Barnstable County Residents

Sixty-two (62%) of Barnstable County residents received booster doses after being fully vaccinated, compared to 58% of the Massachusetts population and  compared to 48% of the national population.. These statuses have not changed during the past month. 

Medium COVID-19 Community Level Designation/ Recommendations 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to classify this area, the fifteen towns of Barnstable County, as being at a medium COVID-19 community level.   Community levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital admissions and the total number of COVID-19 cases in an area.  

The following prevention steps are recommended:

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines;
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas McKean, RS, CHO,
Director of Public Health

Update: July 22, 2022

Community Level – Medium

According to the latest information released by the CDC on Tuesday, the BA.5 Omicron subvariant is now estimated to be responsible for 77.9% of COVID cases in the United States.  This subvariant spreads approximately 4.2 times faster than the omicron variant and stands up well against natural immunity from past infections.  Another omicron subvariant known as BA.4, currently makes up 12.8% of cases, representing a slight decline from last week, even as the number of BA.5 cases continue to increase.

Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable

The average daily incidence rate, calculated from case reports received during the past fourteen days, slightly decreased in the Town of Barnstable to an average of 11.1 new COVID-19 cases per day (see right side of graph.   \

Local, County, State, and Nationwide Cumulative Case and Cumulative Death Counts

A cumulative total of 10,704 Town of Barnstable residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date.  In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 41,439 confirmed cases cumulatively resulting in 616 deaths of Barnstable County residents..  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 1,793,437 positive cases in the State of Massachusetts cumulatively to date in the State, resulting in 19,818 deaths.  In the United States overall, according to the John Hopkins University, there have been 90,200,438 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively resulting in 1,026,294 deaths nationwide as of this date (July 21st).

Hospitalizations in Barnstable County

Cape Cod Healthcare reported that on July 21st there were a total of twenty-three (23) patients who were being treated for COVID-19 at Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals.  None of the patients were in intensive care.

Hospitalizations in Massachusetts 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, on July 19th there were a total of 189 patients primarily hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts.  In total, there were 589 patents hospitalized with COVID -19. Of those 589 patients, 348 patients (59%) were reported to be fully vaccinated when they contracted COVID-19.  

Deaths of Massachusetts Residents During the Past Week

There were forty-two (42) new, confirmed deaths of Massachusetts residents during the past seven days.  The average age of death was 78 years old.  

Booster Status/  Percentage of Barnstable County Residents

Sixty-two (62%) of Barnstable County residents received booster doses after being fully vaccinated, compared to 58% of the Massachusetts population and  compared to 48% of the national population.. These statuses have not changed during the past month. 

Medium COVID-19 Community Level Designation/ Recommendations 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to classify this area, the fifteen towns of Barnstable County, as being at a medium COVID-19 community level.   Community levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital admissions and the total number of COVID-19 cases in an area.  

Update: July 17, 2022

On July 16, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, as acting governor, signed legislation to extend key pandemic-era accommodations, including remote local government meeting authorizations, through March 31, 2023.

The House and Senate had passed the bill on July 14, with an emergency preamble that allowed it to take effect immediately once it was signed. Polito signed the bill in her role as acting governor because Gov. Charlie Baker was out of state.

Cities and towns again have the option to hold public meetings remotely or in a hybrid format, following the same guidelines that have been in place since the COVID public health emergency was first declared in March 2020. The previous extension of the remote meeting authorizations expired on July 15.

Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022 also includes the following pandemic-related provisions and authorizations related to public boards and town meetings, all of which were MMA priorities for this year and are now extended through March 31, 2023:
• Open town meeting quorums: The bill would allow select boards, in consultation with their town moderator, to lower quorum requirements for open town meetings to not less than 10% of the existing quorum level. The quorum provision includes a seven-day notification requirement before any select board vote.
• Remote representative town meetings: The bill would permit representative town meetings to once again have the option to meet remotely, if approved by the select board and town moderator, as well as the town meeting when it meets.

In May, the Senate had included a remote meeting extension in its fiscal 2023 state budget as an outside section, but with the July 15 expiration approaching and the state budget tied up in negotiations, the Senate advanced the language as a standalone bill on July 5.

The House passed an extension bill on July 7, but the House version included language that would have created a permanent mandate for remote access to all public meetings, aside from those in executive session, with a provision requiring remote participation by the public if public participation is allowed or required at the meeting. The mandate would have gone into effect on April 1, 2023.

Update: July 8, 2022

Community Level – Medium

Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable

The average daily incidence rate, calculated from case reports received during the past fourteen days, increased in the Town of Barnstable to an average of 10.4 new cases per day (see right side of graph below).   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates Barnstable County as being at a “medium” community risk level.

Local, County, State, and Nationwide Cumulative Case and Cumulative Death Counts

A cumulative total of 10,542 Town of Barnstable residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 to date.  In Barnstable County, there have been a total of 40,731 confirmed cases cumulatively.  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported there have been a total of 1,772,542 positive cases in the State of Massachusetts cumulatively to date in the State.  In the United States overall, according to the John Hopkins University, there have been 88,381,768 positive COVID-19 cases cumulatively resulting in 1,020,261 deaths nationwide as of this date (July 8^th).

Hospitalizations in Barnstable County

Cape Cod Healthcare reported that on July 6^th  there were a total of twenty-seven (27) patients who were being treated for COVID-19 at Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals.  None of these patients were in intensive care.

Hospitalizations in Massachusetts 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, on July 6th there were a total of 526 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Massachusetts.  Of those 526 patients, 383 patients (64%) were reported to be fully vaccinated when they contracted COVID-19.  

Deaths of Massachusetts Residents During the Past Week

There were eighteen (18) new, confirmed deaths of Massachusetts residents during the past week.  The average age of death was 83 years old.  

Booster Status/  Percentage of Barnstable County Residents

Sixty-two (62%) of Barnstable County residents received booster doses after being fully vaccinated, compared to 58% of the Massachusetts population and  compared to 48% of the national population..

Medium Risk Level Classification and Recommendations 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classifies Barnstable County as being at a medium community risk level.  The following prevention steps are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines;
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas McKean, RS, CHO,
Director of Public Health

Update: March 29, 2022

1st booster

• Everyone age 12 and older can get a booster after they have had their primary vaccine series

2nd booster

• Anyone age 50 and older may get a 2nd booster at least 4 months after their 1st booster
• Anyone age 18 and older with certain medical conditions may get a 2nd booster at least 4 months after their 1st booster
• Anyone age 12 and older with certain medical conditions may get a second booster at least 4 months after their 1st booster

You can mix and match vaccines. Your booster does not need to be the same vaccine brand as your original COVID-19 vaccination. If you are ages 12-17, you can only get a Pfizer booster.

If you are NOT immunocompromised, you’re eligible for a booster after receiving a primary series of:

• Moderna: It’s been at least 5 months since your 2nd dose
• Pfizer: It’s been at least 5 months since your 2nd dose
• Johnson & Johnson: It’s been at least 2 months since your 1st dose 

Additionally, anyone age 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may get a 2nd booster of either Moderna or Pfizer at least 4 months after their 1st booster.

Anyone age 50 and older may get a 2nd booster at least 4 months after their 1st booster.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 and may need more doses of vaccine to protect them. Therefore, certain groups of people ages 12 and older with weakened immune systems should get an additional vaccine dose as part of their primary series, and also get 2 booster doses a bit sooner than other people.

If you fall into this category your primary series will consist of:

• Moderna: 3 doses
• Pfizer: 3 doses
• Johnson & Johnson: 1 Johnson & Johnson dose followed by 1 additional dose of either Moderna or Pfizer

You are eligible for a booster after receiving a primary series if:

• Moderna: It’s been at least 3 months since your 3rd dose
• Pfizer: It’s been at least 3 months since your 3rd dose
• Johnson & Johnson: It’s been at least 2 months since your additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna

You are eligible for a 2nd booster if:

• Moderna: It’s been at least 4 months since your 1st booster
• Pfizer: It’s been at least 4 months since your 1st booster
• Johnson & Johnson: It’s been at least 4 months since your 1st booster

Update: March 7, 2022

Barnstable County in the Green According to New COVID Metrics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently switched to a new metric when it comes to their guidance on COVID safety guidelines, one that places Barnstable County firmly in the green, according to local health officials. 

In his most recent weekly coronavirus update, Falmouth Health Agent Scott McGann outlined the new guidelines that focus less on case numbers and more on hospitalization numbers. 

With at-home tests that are not recorded by public health agencies becoming the norm and most safety guidance having been geared towards minimizing hospitalizations in the first place, McGann said the new metrics are more focused. 

“Omicron had less hospitalizations, if the next variant is even less severe then it’s not about the cases, its about the impact on hospitalizations. A lot of this mitigation was to stop the spread to keep hospitalizations minimized with the things that can go wrong with not having enough beds,” said McGann. 

According to the metrics, if new COVID cases per 100,000 people in a week are fewer than 200, and new COVID admissions to hospitals per 100,000 are fewer than 10 and percent of staffed inpatients beds occupied by COVID patients is also less than 10 percent, then a community is in the low level transmission category.  

By these guidelines, Barnstable County checks off all the green categories, showing low transmission. 

The CDC says that those in the low category can forgo masking, though the state has not yet adopted the metrics in an official capacity and local safety mandates like mask requirements still have priority. 

The Massachusetts Public Health Department continues to perform daily and weekly COVID updates on its online dashboard Here.

Update February 18, 2022

Barnstable Public Schools to end mask mandate on February 28, 2022. Masking continues to be required on all school busses, per federal order, and in school nurses’ offices, per the State Department of Public Health. “With Massachusetts a national leader in vaccinating kids, combined with our robust testing programs, it is time to lift the mask mandate in schools and give students and staff a sense of normalcy after dealing with enormous challenges over the past two years,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “We have all the tools to keep schools safe as we move into dealing with the next phase of managing COVID.”

Update January 18, 2022

Order FREE Covid-19 At-Home Tests HERE

Update: January 10, 2022

Tired of carrying around your vaccine card? Massachusetts now has digital vaccine cards! Get yours HERE

Update: January 5, 2022

A free, state-funded Stop the Spread site will be located at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis starting Monday January 10, 2022. It will be open for appointments and walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays.

To schedule a free COVID-19 vaccination or test through Barnstable County go to: barnstablecountyhealth.org.

People can also search vaxfinder.mass.gov to find COVID-19 vaccination appointments at multiple locations including pharmacies.

Whole Health Pharmacy in Hyannis also offers COVID-19 vaccines and tests: wholehealthcapecod.com

Update: December 28, 2021

Fourteen Day Average Incidence Rate in the Town of Barnstable. The average daily incidence rate increased again in the Town of Barnstable marking the highest average daily incident rate this calendar year….

Update: December 16, 2021

COVID-19 Testing

Safe, effective and accessible COVID-19 testing is available at Cape Cod Healthcare.

Drive-through community testing

COVID-19 testing is available by appointment at two convenient drive-through testing sites on our hospital campuses:

Cape Cod Hospital campus, Hyannis
Hours:
Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closed on holidays

Falmouth Hospital campus, Falmouth
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Please note:

• Drive through community testing is available to everyone, whether experiencing symptoms or not.
• The testing method utilized is an RT-PCR test, considered the gold standard for accurately detecting active COVID-19 virus in a collected specimen and is accepted by all governments and agencies.
• Test results are currently available within 24 hrs.
• For individuals seeking RT-PCR testing due to travel or to monitor their health, the out-of-pocket cost is $125.
• For individuals seeking testing for direct exposure to COVID-19, or symptoms of COVID-19, your health insurance will be billed. Free testing is available for uninsured.
• A sliding scale accommodation is available to assist with the out-of-pocket cost.

Updated Nov. 10, 2021

 MEDIA ALERT Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment Opens Registration for Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics   November 10, 2021 (Barnstable, MA) – Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment opened registration for its pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic, which will occur every Thursday from 2 pm to 4 pm beginning November 18, at the Harborview Conference Room. The Harborview Conference room is located in the Barnstable County Complex at 3195 Main Street in Barnstable Village.  The pediatric clinic for children ages 5 through 11 will follow the adult/adolescent clinic from 10 am to 2 pm every Thursday (excluding Veteran’s Day on Thursday, November 11, and Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 25). Barnstable County is now offering all three vaccines: Pfizer (2 dose series for children ages 5-11; 2 dose series for adolescents and adults ages 12+), Moderna (2 dose series for adults 18+), and J & J (1 dose for adults 18+). Booster shots are available for eligible candidates as well.   Barnstable County is also working with schools throughout the region to organize COVID-19 vaccine clinics for students.  Anyone can register online for Barnstable County’s clinics at www.barnstablecountyhealth.org. participants are encouraged to register in advance due to high interest. The November 18th clinic will be the last this month; however, clinics for both adults and the pediatric vaccine will be held every Thursday throughout December.   Identification and insurance are not required for vaccination. Other vaccination locations can be found at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

COVID-19

• FREE Vaccination Clinic for BPS Students Ages 5-11 Register HERE

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens

Updated Nov. 4, 2021

Most Children and All Teens Can Get COVID-19 Vaccines

CDC recommends everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine to help protect against COVID-19.

Authorized For

Pfizer-BioNTech

Widespread vaccination for COVID-19 is a critical tool to best protect everyone, especially those at highest risk, from severe illness and death. People who are fully vaccinated can safely resume many activities that they did prior to the pandemic. Children ages 5 years and older are able to get an age-appropriate dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about what you and your child or teen can do when fully vaccinated.

Massachusetts School Mask Mandate in place until further notice.

Pfizer COVID-19 Booster shots are now available to:

• Individuals 65 years of age and older.
• Individuals 18-64 years of age at risk for severe COVID-19 due to certain underlying medical conditions as defined by the CDC.
• Individuals 18-64 years of age who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of occupational or institutional settings.

Update September 20, 2021: Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine works for children ages 5 to 11.The vaccine maker said Monday it plans to seek authorization for this age group soon in the U.S., Britain and Europe.

The vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech already is available for anyone 12 and older. But many parents are anxiously awaiting vaccinations for their younger children.

Pfizer studied a lower dose of its two-dose vaccine in more than 2,200 kindergartners and elementary school-aged kids. The kids developed coronavirus-fighting antibody levels just as strong as teenagers and young adults.

Delta Variant: What We Know About the Science

Update August 6, 2021:

On July 27, 2021, CDC released updated guidance on the need for urgently increasing COVID-19 vaccination coverage and a recommendation for everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission to wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. CDC issued this new guidance due to several concerning developments and newly emerging data signals.  First is a reversal in the downward trajectory of cases. In the days leading up to our guidance update, CDC saw a rapid and alarming rise in the COVID case and hospitalization rates around the country.

• In late June, our 7-day moving average of reported cases was around 12,000. On July 27, the 7-day moving average of cases reached over 60,000. This case rate looked more like the rate of cases we had seen before the vaccine was widely available.

Second, new data began to emerge that the Delta variant was more infectious and was leading to increased transmissibility when compared to other variants, even in vaccinated individuals. This includes recently published data from CDC and our public health partners, unpublished surveillance data that will be publicly available in the coming weeks, information included in CDC’s updated Science Brief on COVID-19 Vaccines and Vaccination, and ongoing outbreak investigations linked to the Delta variant.

Delta is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the United States. Below is a high-level summary of what CDC scientists have recently learned about the Delta variant. More information will be made available when more data are published or released in other formats.

Infections and Spread

The Delta variant causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of SARS-CoV-2resize iconView Larger

• The Delta variant is more contagious: The Delta variant is highly contagious, nearly twice as contagious as previous variants.
• Some data suggest the Delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the Delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with Alpha or the original virus strains.
• Unvaccinated people remain the greatest concern: Although breakthrough infections happen much less often than infections in unvaccinated people, individuals infected with the Delta variant, including fully vaccinated people with symptomatic breakthrough infections, can transmit it to others. CDC is continuing to assess data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract, and therefore transmit the virus.
• Fully vaccinated people with Delta variant breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infectious for a shorter period: Previous variants typically produced less virus in the body of infected fully vaccinated people (breakthrough infections) than in unvaccinated people. In contrast, the Delta variant seems to produce the same high amount of virus in both unvaccinated and fully vaccinated people. However, like other variants, the amount of virus produced by Delta breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people also goes down faster than infections in unvaccinated people. This means fully vaccinated people are likely infectious for less time than unvaccinated people.

As of July 1, 2021 Barnstable County officials will move their weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinics from Cape Cod Community College to the Barnstable County Complex. Directions HERE

The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will hold the vaccine clinics from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays in the Harborview Conference Room within the county complex at 3195 Main St. in Barnstable Village, according to this week’s announcement.

The two-shot Pfizer vaccine will be offered to people age 12 and up. People 18 and older also will be offered the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the county press release said.

Agreement Reached to Extend Some Mass. Pandemic Policies

When the state of emergency expired, it took with it pandemic policy adjustments like remote public meetings, eviction protections, health care flexibilities and to-go cocktails.

The legislature failed to move legislation to Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk keeping in place authorization for remote public meetings, eviction protections, and restaurant relief before those measures expired. 

But the Massachusetts House and Senate announced a deal to temporarily extend the measures Tuesday evening, meaning Baker could be able to sign the measure before the end of Tuesday night.

COVID-19 State of Emergency

Previously issued emergency orders and guidance associated with the COVID-19 State of Emergency, which terminated on June 15, 2021.

On March 10, Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency, giving the Administration more flexibility to respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. The state of emergency and all Emergency and Public Health Orders issued pursuant to the emergency terminated on June 15, 2021.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Cape Cod Healthcare has appointments available at the Cape Cod Hospital Community Vaccine Clinic for first dose vaccines which can be self-scheduled online. Vaccinations at our clinic, located at the Melody Tent in Hyannis, are also available on a walk-in basis during clinic hours. Current dates and times as follows:

Current First Dose Vaccine Clinics:

• May 19 – Melody Tent Pfizer 3:00-7:00 p.m. *Please note: this clinic is for anyone 12 and older
• May 20 – Melody Tent Moderna 8:00-11:00 a.m.
• May 21 – Melody Tent Moderna 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• May 26 – Melody Tent Moderna 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Second Dose Vaccine Clinics:

• May 19 – Melody Tent 2nd Pfizer 3:00-7:00 p.m.
• May 20 – Melody Tent 2nd Moderna 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• May 21 – Melody Tent 2nd Moderna 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• May 26 – Melody Tent 2nd Moderna 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC! WALK-INS WELCOME

Harbor Community Health Center-Hyannis, the Town of Barnstable, and the Hyannis Fire Department has opened a new COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Barnstable Adult Community Center.

Open to anyone 16 years (with guardian consent) of age or older. To make an appointment call 1-888-503-0766.

Walkin 9:00am -11:45 | 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Barnstable Adult Community Center
825 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA 02601

Community Health Center of Cape Cod COVID-19 single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccination clinic is open for walk-ins from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth

– Community Health Center of Cape Cod Johnson & Johnson clinic is available to walk-ins and pre-registered individuals, 3-6 p.m., May 12 at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth.

April 26, 2021 – The Mashpee Fire & Rescue Department and Community Health Center of Cape Cod will offer an “After Hours Pfizer Vaccine Clinic” for residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The clinic is designed to help those 16 years old and above get their first COVID vaccine dose during non-work hours.

The Christ the King Church’s Social Hall will host the clinic, which will be from 3 pm to 7 pm on Friday, April 30.

Christ the King Church, 5 Job’s Fishing Rd, Mashpee, MA 02649

Recipients will automatically have their second vaccine shot scheduled for May 12 during the same time and location.

Residents are advised to use the parking lots located behind the church near the Social Hall.

Appointments can be made HERE

Those who have technical difficulties during the sign-up process can contact the Health Center at (508) 477-7090.

VACCINE Q & A’s

CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILTY HERE

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PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE Barnstable County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

ONE (1) Barnstable County COVID-19 vaccine clinic OPEN FOR REGISTRATION TODAY 4/21 at approximately 12:00 PM   Due to an unforeseen challenge during our transition to the state’s new preregistration system, we are posting the following clinic for registration using http://www.maimmunizations.org.   TODAY: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at approximately 12:00 PM, the following vaccine clinics will be posted, searchable and OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS at www.maimmunizations.org.   COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic (1) at Cape Cod Community College Date: April 22 (Thursday) Address: 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668 Number of doses available this clinic: 800 Time: 10am – 2pm Type of Vaccine: Pfizer Clinic Format: Indoors, 4Cs Gymnasium Directions: See Google Maps   People age 16 + who live, work, or study in Massachusetts can be vaccinated.   Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.   Please leave pets at home.   There are no restrooms on site.   Individuals arriving at vaccination sites must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.   Important Registration Tips:   Please try the direct link below, which may help to bypass the waiting room in the registration system.             Cape Cod Community College Clinics   If this link does not work, you will need to go to www.maimmunizations.org, and and expect to enter the system’s “waiting room” automatically. While waiting, you will likely see the estimated wait times fluctuate between long and short periods; disregard these reported estimated wait times and persist as long as you are able.   It is important that you do not refresh the page.   When going to www.maimmunizations.org, scroll down until you see this clinic listed. We advise that you do not type in the date or any other parameters, such as “senior” or “adult” in the search.   These clinics are organized by Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and are separate from clinics offered by Cape Cod Healthcare. Barnstable County is a member of the Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, comprised of Cape Cod Healthcare, Barnstable County, Cape Cod Delegation, the towns and community health centers of Cape Cod, with support from Cape Cod Community College, which has established a large-scale vaccination site at the Cape Cod Community College gymnasium. Two entities, Cape Cod Healthcare and Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, are operating vaccination clinics at Cape Cod Community College independently of one another as of March 1.     Visit www.barnstablecountyhealth.org

Monday, April 19 all people age 16-54 become eligible.

MA Immunizations Website HERE

Vax Finder HERE

View Barnstable BOARD OF HEALTH Updates HERE

Important Announcements Regarding Changes to the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Registration Process

Barnstable County is transitioning to the new, state-run vaccine pre-registration system, called Color.   Here’s what you need to know:   In order to get a first-dose vaccine appointment at one of our clinics, you must pre-register through the Mass.gov website. Simply click the link below:   Preregister for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment | Mass.gov   Once you are pre-registered, the system will alert you via your preferred form of communication (phone, email or text) when there is an opportunity for you to schedule an appointment. Appointments are offered based on eligibility and availability of vaccine.   We will no longer be posting our clinics on http://www.maimmunizations.org.   We are no longer sending emails notifying the public of upcoming clinic dates and specific clinic registration opening times.   Barnstable County clinics will continue to take place weekly at the Cape Cod Community College gymnasium. The clinics are indoors and wheelchair accessible.   First dose clinics will not take place every week; some weeks will serve to provide second doses to those who received their initial vaccination at one of our earlier clinics.   Over the coming weeks, vaccine availability at select pharmacy locations is expected to increase substantially.   If you are able to find an appointment elsewhere while you are waiting to be contacted by the state system (for example, at your local pharmacy or grocery store), there are several clear avenues to opt out. The state system will only notify you regarding appointment openings at publicly run clinics.

Statement from the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

 Barnstable, MA- April 13, 2021 – Today, the FDA and CDC recommended that U.S. federal distribution channels, including all vaccination sites, pause the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until a review of the vaccine is completed. This is in response to an extremely rare occurrence of potentially dangerous blood clots, which was reported in 6 individuals nationwide.

Barnstable County has halted the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as of today. Two small Johnson & Johnson clinics planned for today and tomorrow have been canceled.  All other clinics hosted by Barnstable County will continue to use the Pfizer vaccine. Barnstable County has administered 1,400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine since January of this year.

Barnstable County advises Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients who received their shot within the last three weeks to contact their health care provider if they experience severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.

More than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S., the vast majority with no or mild side effects.

The other two authorized vaccines, from Moderna and Pfizer, make up the vast share of COVID-19 shots administered in the U.S., and are not affected by the pause. Barnstable County has predominantly received the Pfizer vaccine.

Currently, 3,500 Pfizer doses are received on a weekly basis.

On Friday, April 9, 24-hour notice of clinic registration openings will be discontinued; the public can expect any upcoming Barnstable County regional vaccine clinics to be posted and open for registration on Fridays before noon. 

 

On Friday, April 9, 2021 at 4:00 PM, the following vaccine clinics will be posted, searchable and OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS at www.maimmunizations.org.

 

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic (1) at Orleans DPW

Date: April 15 (Thursday)

Address: 40 Giddiah Hill Road, Orleans, MA 02653

Number of doses available this clinic: 1,000

Time: 9am – 3pm

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Clinic Format: Drive-through

Directions: See Google Maps

 

• These clinics are available for those who meet the following criteria: All those eligible in Phase 1 and People who are 55 or older, people with 1 or more certain medical conditions, people who live or work in low income and affordable senior housing, K-12 educators, K-12 school staff, and child care workers, and certain workers.

Important Registration Tips: 

Orleans DPW Clinics

• • • It is important that you do not refresh the page.

• • • If this link does not work, you will need to go to www.maimmunizations.org, and expect to enter the system’s “waiting room” automatically. While waiting, you will likely see the estimated wait times fluctuate between long and short periods; disregard these reported estimated wait times and persist as long as you are able. Please try the direct link below, which may help to bypass the waiting room in the registration system.

• •  

• Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
• Please leave pets at home.
• There are no restrooms on site.
• Individuals arriving at vaccination sites must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.

April 1, 2021 – Barnstable, MA | The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment announced today that on Friday, April 2, 2021 at 12:00 PM, the following vaccine clinics will be posted, searchable and OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS at www.maimmunizations.org.

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinics (2) at Cape Cod Community College

Dates: April 6 (Tuesday), April 7 (Wednesday)

Address: 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668

Number of doses available at each clinic: 4/6: 1400; 4/7: 800

Times: 

Tuesday April 6, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Wednesday April 7, 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Indoor clinic: Clinics at CCCC take place indoors in the gymnasium. These clinics are wheelchair accessible, with staff available to assist if necessary.

Directions: See Google Maps

Go to the main entrance at Cape Cod Community College, and you will be given further instructions. See a campus map at https://www.capecod.edu/media/capecodedu/content-assets/documents/campus-map.pdf

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic (1) at Barnstable County Fairgrounds 

Dates: April 8 (Thursday)

Address: 319 Currier Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Number of doses: 800

Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Drive-thru clinic: Clinics at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds are drive-thru clinics.

Directions: See Google Maps

Enter the Fairgrounds off Currier Rd. and you will be given further instructions.

• These clinics are available for those who meet the following criteria: All those eligible in Phase 1 and people who are 60 or older, people with 2 or more certain medical conditions, people who live or work in low income and affordable senior housing, K-12 educators, K-12 school staff, and child care workers, and certain workers.
• Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
• Individuals arriving at vaccination sites must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.

Free COVID testing is available tomorrow – Sunday, March 28^th from 12-6 PM.

 Testing will be conducted at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. No appointment required.

 The COVID test will be conducted by the state mobile testing unit staff. Masks and social distancing will be required at testing site.

 Testing is an important strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Barnstable County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at CCCC and County Fairgrounds Will Open for Registration Tomorrow

March 25, 2021 – Barnstable, MA. | The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment announced today that on Friday, March 26, 2021, at 10:00 AM, the following vaccine clinics will be posted and will be searchable and OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS at www.maimmunizations.org

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinics at Cape Cod Community College

Dates: Tuesday, March 30, Wednesday, March 31

Address: Cape Cod Community College,2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668

Number of doses available at each clinic: 1200 (total 2,400)

Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Indoor clinic: Clinics at CCCC take place indoors in the gymnasium. These clinics are wheelchair accessible, with staff available to assist if necessary.

Directions: SeeGoogle Maps

Go to the main entrance at Cape Cod Community College, and you will be given further instructions. See a campus map athttps://www.capecod.edu/media/capecodedu/content-assets/documents/campus-map.pdf

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic at Barnstable County Fairgrounds 

Dates: Thursday, April 1

Address: 319 Currier Road, East Falmouth, MA 02536

Number of doses: 870

Time: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Drive-thru clinic: Clinics at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds are drive-thru clinics.

Directions: SeeGoogle Maps

Enter the Fairgrounds off Currier Rd. and you will be given further instructions.

These clinics are available for those who meet the following criteria: All those eligible in Phase 1 and people who are 60 or older, people with 2 or more certain medical conditions,people who live or work in low income and affordable senior housing, K-12 educators, K-12 school staff, and child care workers, and certain workers.

Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

Individuals arriving at vaccination sites must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.

Important Registration Tips: 

• Please try these direct links below, which may help to bypass the waiting room in the registration system.

Cape Cod Community College Clinics HERE

Barnstable County Fairground Clinic HERE

• If these links do not work, you will need to go to www.maimmunizations.org, and expect to enter the system’s “waiting room” automatically. While waiting, you will likely see the estimated wait times fluctuate between long and short periods; disregard these reported estimated wait times and persist as long as you are able.

• It is important that you do not refresh the page.

• When going to www.maimmunizations.org, scroll down until you see this clinic listed. We advise that you do not type in the date or any other parameters, such as “senior” or “adult” in the search.

These clinics are organized by Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment and are separate from clinics offered by Cape Cod Healthcare. Barnstable County is a member of the Cape Cod COVID-19 Vaccine Consortium, comprised of Cape Cod Healthcare, Barnstable County, Cape Cod Delegation, the towns and community health centers of Cape Cod, with support from Cape Cod Community College, which has established a large-scale vaccination site at the Cape Cod Community College gymnasium. Two entities, Cape Cod Healthcare and Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment, are operating vaccination clinics at Cape Cod Community College independently of one another as of March 1.

Effective Monday March 22, 2021

Phase 4, Step 1 of the reopening plan allows large-scale venues such as indoor & outdoor stadiums, arenas & ballparks to open at 12% capacity. Includes increases in gathering limits at event venues.

Phase 4, Step 1 of the reopening plan allows large-scale venues like indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks to open at 12% capacity and increases gathering limits at event venues and public settings to 100 people inside and 150 people outside. (Private gathering limits remain in place, at 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.)Summer camps, exhibitions and convention halls will also be allowed to operate under Phase 4, and weddings and other events may include dance floors.

State officials say they can loosen restrictions because public health metrics, like the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations, continue to improve.

Mass. Travel Order Changes

Under the new travel advisory, anyone arriving in the state after being elsewhere for more than 24 hours will be advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival.

Previously, people coming from states without an exemption were required to fill out the form and quarantine for 10 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival.

Phase 4 of the Mass. reopening plan allows for a significant increase in gathering capacities.

• Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours.
• Travelers who have a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts.
• Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) while they are commuting to or from or while at work.
• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago and who do not have symptoms).

Massachusetts health officials are no longer requiring people who have been fully vaccinated to quarantine or test negative for COVID-19 when traveling to the Bay State at least two weeks after their final shot.

Under the outgoing travel order, people can travel to Massachusetts from just four states and one U.S. territory: Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

State officials have cited improving public health metrics, like the number of COVID cases and hospitalizations, in their decision to loosen restrictions.

Barnstable County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at CCCC Will Open for Registration Tomorrow

Three vaccine clinics at Cape Cod Community College will open for registration on Friday, March 19 at 10:00 AM

March 18, 2021 – Barnstable, MA. | The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment announced today that on Friday, March 19, 2021, at 10:00 AM, the following vaccine clinics will be posted and will be searchable and OPEN FOR APPOINTMENTS at www.maimmunizations.org

COVID 19 Vaccine Clinic Dates: Tuesday, March 23, Wednesday, March 24, and Thursday, March 25

Address: Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Rd, West Barnstable, MA 02668

Number of doses available at each clinic: 900 (total 2,700)

Time: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Type of Vaccine: Pfizer

Directions: SeeGoogle Maps

Go to the main entrance at Cape Cod Community College, and you will be given further instructions. See a campus map athttps://www.capecod.edu/media/capecodedu/content-assets/documents/campus-map.pdf

These clinics are available for those who meet the following criteria: All those eligible in Phase 1 and individuals age 65 and older, individuals with 2+ certain medical conditions, residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing, K-12 educators, child care workers, and school staff.

Clinics are not drive-thru clinics and will be held in the gymnasium at the college. These clinics are wheelchair accessible, with staff available to assist if necessary.

Please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment.

____________________________________________________________________________________

 Barnstable County Health Website & COVID-19 Updates HERE

User Friendly Website to find Vaccine Appointments HERE

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 8, 2021

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 5, 2021

Massachusetts residents in the 75-and-older group can Call 211 to get live, phone-based assistance securing slots for the vaccine. The call center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F. Staffed with more than 500 representatives including those who speak Spanish and translators for more than 100 other languages.

Listen to February 3, 2021 Briefing Call HERE

View Transcript of Briefing Call HERE

Barnstable County Fairgrounds on 02/03/2021

1220 Nathan Ellis Hwy, East Falmouth MA, 02630

Vaccinations offered: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Age groups served: Adults Services offered: Vaccination Additional Information: Registration required. Phase 1 and people 75 and older ONLY Clinic Hours : 10:00 am – 03:00 pm Available Appointments : 0 (Register to receive notification of vaccine availability)

The Barnstable County will open a vaccination registration platform called PrepMod to those who are eligible. Note* You will need to upload front and back of insurance card into the application. Register HERE 1/27/21 NOTE: As of 8am: Due to high demand and constrained vaccine supply, COVID-19 Vaccination appointments are limited. More appointments will be available based on supply from the Federal Government. Appointments will be added on a rolling basis.

Governor Charlie Baker announced Monday January 25, 2021 that the State will be opening 103 public vaccination sites by the end of the week. View Governor’s Video Update HERE The nearest site for residents of Precinct 7 is the Mashpee Wallgreens Drugstore located at 21 South St. Mashpee, MA 02649

The state released a map showing where these sites will be located. The map is color-coded, with some sites carrying certain restrictions. Clicking on the map will bring up instructions for each site and, when on line, how to register for a vaccine. Seniors 75 and older can begin registering for a COVID vaccine on Wednesday January 27, 2021  HERE at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine. These vaccinations will begin Monday Feb. 1, 2021

Covid-19 Helpline

Beginning Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 8:00 a.m the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment will launch a regionwide helpline (1-774-330-3001) to respond to COVID-19 related questions.

10 Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers have been trained to answer questions about COVID-19, such as how to get a COVID-19 test or how to help someone navigate the three-phased approach to vaccination.

The MRC helpline team can also walk residents through more complex questions, directing them to the right resources in their local communities and in other state government departments. Volunteers cannot provide individual clinical advice or a diagnosis through the helpline. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 and are symptomatic, call your health care provider.

Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps Director Diana Gaumond said, “Much of the MRC’s mission is to engage our local communities in times of emergency, to strengthen public health and preparedness. This mission includes helping people navigate complex information during this pandemic.”

The helpline will available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-774-330-3001.

Barnstable County wants to ensure residents that a coordinated response is taking place in our region. We remain committed to encouraging all citizens to wear a mask, maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet, and wash hands for at least 20 seconds. For more information, COVID-19 case counts, testing, and vaccine information visit http://www.barnstablecountyhealth.orgor http://www.mass.gov   NEW MASSACHUSETTS RESTRICTIONS: Effective Saturday, December 26, 2020 and for at least two weeks, capacity limits will be lowered to 25 percent for most industries, indoor gatherings will be limited to 10, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25. Per new Gov. Baker orders. View orders HERE Effective December 7, 2020, the Town of Barnstable must revert to step 1 of phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan, as outlined in COVID-19 Order 56. The order specifies that a community must revert to step 1 of phase 3 if it is designated in the “red” category for three consecutive Department of Public Health weekly reports.

Center for Disease Control HERE  and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health  HERE   The number of reported cases globally in real-time are listed on the John Hopkins University HERE   View Massachusetts interactive map by County HERE