Covid transmission steady as half of all residents fully vaccinated

Aug 19, 2021

New Covid-19 cases in Dartmouth remain high amid the summer delta variant surge.

This week, the state’s Department of Public Health reported 88 new cases of the virus in town over the past two weeks — down three from the state’s previous weekly report.

According to state data, the town has a 14-day incidence rate of 16.9 per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 3.55%. Dartmouth is still classified as “gray” in the state’s Covid-19 risk reporting — the lowest risk level.

This comes as half of all Dartmouth residents are fully vaccinated against the virus.

As of Aug. 12, the state reports that 55% of residents residents have received at least a first dose. That amounts to 20,381  people — up 163 from the previous week.

A third dose of the vaccine is already being recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and been approved by the FDA for those who are immunocompromised.

People aged 12 or older who live, work or study in Massachusetts are eligible to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Those over the age of 18 can sign up to receive any vaccine, but those ages 12 to 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.  

Those interested in getting vaccinated can also sign up for shots at Southcoast Health clinics or its wellness van as by contacting your provider or visiting www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling.

Appointments and walk-ins remain also available at the former Circuit City Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit vaxfinder.mass.gov.

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 two when prompted.

Residents can also get a shot at CVS at 548 Dartmouth St. and Stop & Shop at 25 Faunce Corner Road.

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

For additional information about the available Covid-19 vaccines, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/, or talk to your doctor.

As of Aug. 12, Massachusetts has an estimated 1,373 active Covid-19 cases, with 17,799 coronavirus-related deaths reported since the pandemic began.

There have been 693,093 total confirmed cases in the commonwealth thus far. Meanwhile, 4,433,003 people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated.