Town Covid cases back to pre-Omicron levels

For the fourth straight week, new cases of Covid-19 continue to decline in Dartmouth.

In the past two weeks, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed 192 cases in town — the lowest since before the Omicron spike in late December.

According to state data, Dartmouth had a daily average incidence rate of 37 per 100,000 people and a 8.42% positivity rate.

Between Feb. 10 and 16, the state also reported 35 new cases across Dartmouth’s six public schools — 29 students and six staff members.

While virus transmission has lowered, officials recommend those who have yet to get vaccinated get their shots to mitigate possible surges in the future.

Those eligible for the vaccine can find appointments at providers around the state using the state’s website vaxfinder.mass.gov.

Vaccinations also continue at the clinic being operated by Southcoast Health at the VF Outlet. Clinics will be operated Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday 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.

Dartmouth’s Council on Aging will also be hosting a vaccination clinic on March 2 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Bullard Wellness Center at the COA’s building located at 628 Dartmouth St.

For more information on the clinic, call the Center at (508) 999-4717.

Shots offered will include first, second, and booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.

As of Feb. 17, 66% of Dartmouth residents have received at least a first vaccination dose. That amounts to 24,378 people. More than half of all residents — 58% — are fully vaccinated against the virus.