Covid cases slightly increase as booster shots now available for all adults

Nov 18, 2021

New cases of Covid-19 are slightly on the rise in Dartmouth.

The state’s Department of Public health confirmed a slight increase of cases in town, with 119 reported over the past two weeks — up six from the state’s previous weekly report.

Dartmouth’s public schools have also seen an increase, as the state reported 21 cases across all six of Dartmouth’s public schools between Nov. 11 and 17 — 14 students and seven staff members. Last week, the district reported just 11 positive cases.

The school district’s spike follows the recent approval of pediatric vaccines for children ages 5 to 11. According to state data, 6% of kids ages 5 to 11 — 216 people — have gotten a first dose in the two weeks since getting approval from the state and Centers for Disease Control.

According to state data, Dartmouth had a 14-day average daily incidence rate remained at 22.9 per 100,000 people, while the positivity rate slightly decreased to 4.36%.

The bump in cases comes as the state expands eligibility for Covid-19 booster shots for all vaccinated adults.

Residents are eligible to get a booster six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months after receiving the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

CDC recommendations allow for mixing and matching of different booster doses.

Appointments for booster shots are available at the state-run website vaxfinder.mass.gov.

Vaccinations also continue at the clinic being operated by Southcoast Health at the VF Outlet. Clinics are operated Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Patients can book their shots by signing up through their MyChart account or by visiting www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will only be a clinic on Nov. 24.

In-home vaccinations can be scheduled by calling (833) 983-0485, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. English and Spanish speaking staff are on hand, and have access to translators for over 100 languages. In-home vaccinations are performed by medical professionals following public health guidelines and tailored to the needs of the patient. 

The state has also set up a call center for those who are unable to access the vaccine appointment website or who have trouble navigating the complex online system.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, people can call 211 and navigate to the vaccine help line by pressing one when prompted. The call center has workers on staff who speak English and Spanish, and there are translators available to support residents in about 100 additional languages.

As of Nov. 18,  the state reports that 62% of Dartmouth residents have received at least a first vaccination dose. That amounts to 22,947 people. More than half of all residents — 55% — are fully vaccinated against the virus.

The Covid-19 vaccine is free, and individuals do not need insurance or an ID to get the vaccine.