Town sees more than 100 new covid-19 cases in past week

Jan 15, 2021

The number of new covid-19 cases in town is a triple-digit figure once again. In the past week, 108 new cases have been reported, according to the state’s Jan. 14 report.

The Jan. 14 report marks exactly two weeks since New Year’s Eve, when officials feared in-person gatherings and celebrations would drive a subsequent spike in coronavirus cases. With a total of 108 new cases in the past week, the spike is underway. 

Wareham’s average daily incidence rate increased sharply from 45.8 to 56.1 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days. Given Wareham’s population, this means there were about 12.9 new cases each day over the past two weeks.

Wareham has also seen a percent positivity rate — or the percentage of covid-19 tests performed that come back positive — of 9.78 percent over the past 14 days. 

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the state has reported 980 total cases in Wareham. Wareham remains classified “red” per the state’s guidelines — the same category the town has fallen into since Dec. 3.

About a week ago, the state’s Jan. 7 public health report indicated Wareham was seeing roughly 10.53 new cases each day and had a percent positivity rate of 10.4 percent.

As of Jan. 11, Wareham Public Schools reported eight students (five hybrid and three remote) had tested positive for covid-19. Additionally, 17 students (15 hybrid and two remote) and eight employees are currently quarantined.