COVID-19 on Cape Cod: Risk level 'low' as flu season arrives. Boosters, cases, advice.
The Centers for Disease Control’s latest U.S. COVID-19 data, posted on Oct. 12, shows that across the state of Massachusetts, from Oct. 1-7, there were 2,506 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There were 18 confirmed COVID-19 deaths throughout that week in Massachusetts.
According to the CDC, the community risk level in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties is still low. The risk level helps convey how much COVID-19 is affecting a community using data on hospitalizations and cases.
According to data through Oct. 7, that week had more than 300 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barnstable County, the most recent period for which data was available.
The highest concentration of new cases are in the Mid-Cape and Upper Cape area, while Outer Cape has a low number of cases.
"We are not seeing an increase at this time. In fact, we are seeing less cases than we did a few weeks ago," said Dr. Andrew Jorgensen, chief medical officer of Outer Cape Health Services.
On the other hand, the Mid-Cape has a different situation.
"There has been an uptick in COVID positive admissions, though typically the positive COVID finding has been secondary to the primary reason for admission," said Lori Jewett, Chief Operating Officer of Cape Cod Healthcare.
Cape Cod Healthcare has had 117 admissions over the last two weeks that have tested positive for COVID-19 upon admission.
COVID-19 boosters along with flu shots are recommended
It's suggested that Cape Codders take advantage of available booster shots as soon as possible, as well as seasonal flu shots, according to Wendy Judd, a public health nurse at the Barnstable County Health Department.
"The flu shots are equally important at this time and everyone should get these vaccinations done as soon as they can," said Judd.
Though the booster is not an exact match for the new variant called EG.5, Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are all developing versions aimed at the omicron offshoot XBB 1.5, a close relative.
In August, Moderna announced that early clinical trials were promising.
"The current booster shots are effective against the new variant," said Judd.
Where are COVID-19 boosters available on Cape?
According to Karryn Lewis, owner of Whole Health Pharmacy, most of the booster shots arrived on Cape in the last week of September.
“Since the large-scale vaccine drive is no longer funded by the government, it becomes difficult to understand how much we need to order at the time,” said Lewis. At the time, all vaccines offered by the Whole Health services were Moderna.
“We have enough vaccines in stock, and we supply them through our pharmacies and other organizations we collaborate with,” said Lewis.
Barnstable County Dept. of Health & Environment is offering vaccine drives, by appointment only, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Outer Cape Health Services is also offering both Pfizer and Moderna in all three of their clinics at Harwich, Wellfleet and Provincetown.
The new booster is available at both Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals which can be scheduled online or through My Chart.
While CVS pharmacies across the Cape are offering only Moderna vaccines, Walgreens is offering both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.
To schedule appointments and check availability in the local area, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/
Rasheek Tabassum Mujib writes about health care and education. Reach her at rmujib@capecodonline.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: COVID-19 update on Cape: What to know about case trends, booster shots
