Covid cases are once again up in Dartmouth as nearly one third of all residents in the county have gotten a first vaccination dose. This week, the town’s Board of Health reported 76 new cases of the virus — the first time it’s been above 70 since the town entered the state’s “yellow” designation in mid-February.

According to state data, Dartmouth had a 14-day average daily incidence rate of 23.3 per 100,000 people and a 3.03% positivity rate in the two weeks ending April 8.

Despite the increase, Dartmouth is still classified “yellow” per the state’s guidelines — the same category the town has fallen into since Feb. 18.

To revert to green, Dartmouth must have a daily incidence rate fewer than 10 per 100,000 people.

The state also reports six positive student cases in Dartmouth’s public schools, along with one staffer reporting positive for the virus in the past week.

On April 5, elementary schools saw all grade levels return to the classroom full time. Middle schoolers are expected to return fully on April 28.

Meanwhile, UMass Dartmouth reported seven new cases this past week — 0.55% of the 1,267 tested.

At the Bristol County House of Correction, the state reports zero new cases among inmates and staff. As of April 1, 218 inmates and 204 staff have gotten their first vaccination doses at the Faunce Corner jail.

Vaccinations continuing to rise across the county — with 31% of all residents getting a first dose and 19% getting their second jab.

As of April 5, anyone 55 or older or who have a “high-risk” medical condition is now eligible to book a vaccination appointment. Since March 22, essential workers in industries including grocery store and food service employees, transit workers, and court employees, are also eligible for their jabs. 

Anyone 16 and older will be eligible on April 19.

Although not everyone is eligible to be vaccinated against Covid-19 yet, all Massachusetts residents can now sign up to be notified when they become eligible to schedule an appointment at a mass vaccination site.

The state’s preregistration system launched on March 12, and Dartmouth residents can preregister at https://vaccinesignup.mass.gov/. 

Anyone who cannot fill out the form online can ask a family member, companion or caregiver to fill it out, or call the state’s vaccination help line by dialing 211.

Vaccine supply and available appointments at the Southcoast Health VF Outlet site are dependent on the state and could vary from week to week.

Those interested in getting vaccinated at the VF Outlet can now sign up as slots are available either through their MyChart account or at www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling/, which does not require a MyChart account.

Residents who are older who do not have access to a computer, and who may need assistance accessing the clinic, should contact the Dartmouth Council on Aging at (508) 999-4717.

As of April 9, Massachusetts has an estimated 35,475 active Covid-19 cases, with 17,031 coronavirus-related deaths reported since the pandemic began.

There have been 615,947 total confirmed cases in the commonwealth thus far, representing more than 8.9% of the population.

So far, 1,571,073 people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated.