Wareham sees about 30 new cases of covid-19

Wareham saw 32 new cases of covid-19 over this past week, according to the state’s Oct. 28 data. Since the start of the pandemic, Wareham has seen 2,348 confirmed cases of covid-19.

As of Oct. 20, Wareham Public Schools reported that three Decas Elementary students had tested positive for covid-19, and three were quarantined. No students at Minot Forest Elementary had tested positive, but six students were quarantined. At Wareham Middle School, four students were quarantined, but none had tested positive. Wareham High School had the highest number of students who were quarantined — 10 — and reported that two students had tested positive. 

As for school staff, the district reported that no staff members had tested positive for covid-19, but one staff member at Wareham High School was quarantined.

Wareham’s average daily incidence rate decreased from 25.4 to 16.5 cases per 100,000 people in the past 14 days. Given Wareham’s population, 16.5 cases per 100,000 people means there were about 3.8 new cases each day over the past two weeks.

Opportunities to get vaccinated

Local public health experts continue to encourage people to get the vaccine as soon as possible — and the state is now offering in-home vaccinations for those unable to get to a vaccination site.

People aged 12 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 12 to 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine. 

In Wareham, the CVS on Main Street (419 Main St.), the CVS on Cranberry Highway (2421 Cranberry Hwy Ste 110), the Walgreens on Marion Road (121 Marion Rd.) and the CVS in East Wareham (2992 Cranberry Hwy) offer covid vaccines for walk-in visitors or by appointment. In light of the nor’easter storm causing power outages around town, consider calling to confirm a pharmacy is open and providing vaccinations ahead of time.

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

In-home vaccinations can be scheduled by calling 833-983-0485, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. English and Spanish speaking staff are on hand, and have access to translators for over 100 languages. In-home vaccinations are performed by medical professionals following public health guidelines and tailored to the needs of the patient. 

In-home vaccinations are performed using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, except for those ages 12 to 17, who would be offered the Pfizer vaccine. Scheduling is based on location, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis.

The state has also set up a call center for those who are unable to access the vaccine appointment website or who have trouble navigating the complex online system.

From 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, people can call 211 and navigate to the vaccine help line 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.