Town records lowest number of new cases since fall

May 8, 2021

New Covid-19 cases in Dartmouth have reached a six month low as nearly half of all residents have gotten a first vaccination shot.

This week, the town’s Board of Health reported 21 new cases of the virus — the lowest since mid-October.

According to state data, Dartmouth had a 14-day average daily incidence rate of 19.4 per 100,000 people and a 2.82% positivity rate in the two weeks ending May 6.

Despite this week’s drop, the town is still classified as “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 no cases in Dartmouth’s public schools in the past two weeks. Meanwhile, UMass Dartmouth reported seven new cases — 0.86% of the 815 who tested.

At the Bristol County House of Correction, the state reports zero new cases among inmates and staff. 

So far, 244 inmates and 204 staff have gotten their first vaccination doses as of April 15 — meanwhile, 690 inmates and 355 staff have refused to get their shots.

Everyone over the age of 16 who lives, works or studies in Massachusetts is now eligible to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

According to the state data, 17,137 — 46% — of Dartmouth residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Vaccinations continue at the clinic being operated by Southcoast Health at the VF Outlet, though the vaccine supply is 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.

Southcoast Health is also offering walk-in vaccines without appointments at various locations this week, with more walk-in clinics to come.

Residents can also book appointments at the North Dartmouth Walmart by visiting www.walmart.com/covidvaccine.

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

As of May 7, Massachusetts has an estimated 19,784 active Covid-19 cases, with 17,316 coronavirus-related deaths reported since the pandemic began.

There have been 651,740 total confirmed cases in the commonwealth thus far. Meanwhile, 2,714,443 people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated.