Two-thirds of Dartmouth residents now partially vaccinated against Covid-19

New coronavirus cases remain on the decline in Dartmouth as two in every three Dartmouth residents have gotten at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

In the past two weeks, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed 361 cases in town — down 314 from the state’s previous report.

According to state data, Dartmouth had a daily average incidence rate of 69.5 per 100,000 people and a 12.99% positivity rate.

Dartmouth’s public schools reported zero cases in the last week — the first time since before the holidays.

As Covid cases drop, Dartmouth’s vaccination is on the rise.

As of Feb. 10, 66% of all Dartmouth residents have received at least a first dose. That amounts to 24,341 people. 

More than half of all residents — 58% — are fully vaccinated against the virus. 

People aged 5 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 5 to 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.

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

Those who would prefer to make an appointment online can call 211 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and navigate to the vaccine helpline 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.

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 noon, 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.

Health officials also recommend all Massachusetts residents 16 and up get their booster as soon as possible.

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

Centers for Disease Control recommendations allow for mixing and matching of different booster doses.

According to Southcoast Health, only 3% of hospitalized Covid-positive patients in its hospitals are fully vaccinated and boosted and that unvaccinated residents are 31 times more likely to become infected than fully vaccinated residents who have gotten a booster shot.