Covid cases continue - 56 reported this week

There have been more than 50 reported new cases of coronavirus in Wareham each week for the last three weeks.

After a dip in new case counts in late March, cases are back on the rise.

And counts are likely higher than the state’s totals, due to the wide availability of at-home tests.

In the past week, 56 more covid-19 cases were reported. That brings the total number of cases in town since the beginning of the pandemic to a total of 5,084 — 

Overall, 69 percent of Wareham residents have received at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine. 

Vaccination rates are higher among older people, with 95.6% of those ages 65 to 74 having received at least one dose. Among those over 75 years old, 92.3% have had at least one dose.

The group with the lowest vaccination rate is 5 to 11 year olds, with only 23.3% of kids in that age group having had at least one shot. 

Among kids ages 12 to 15, 47.6% are at least partially vaccinated, as are 53.1% of those ages 16 to 19. 

Mask mandates are no longer in place at schools, and the state has announced that it will end its in-school covid testing program after this school year.

Among adults: 58.6% of those in their 20s are vaccinated, as are 62% of those 30 to 49 and 77.3% of those ages 50 to 64. 

Cases are up state-wide. As of May 26, there were 795 people hospitalized with covid-19 in the state, and 12 new deaths were reported, bringing the statewide death toll of the pandemic to 19,404.

The federal government is once again distributing free at-home covid-19 tests through the United States Postal Service. To sign up to have eight free tests delivered, go to www.CovidTests.gov.

Southcoast Health is moving its testing sites. The hospital group offers PCR lab tests by appointment at the Tobey Hospital Outpatient Lab Collection site. Patients can make an appointment online through their MyChart account or by calling 508-973-1919.

Booster vaccinations are available.

Massachusetts residents who test positive for Covid-19 and have mild to moderate symptoms can now access a free telehealth program to see if they’re eligible for a treatment pill, which will also be free.