Covid cases continue to decrease as schools drop mask mandate

Just 11 new covid-19 cases were reported during the past week in Wareham, according to the state’s March 3 report.

This is the lowest case weekly case count since mid-August 2021. 

In Wareham schools, only one teacher has tested positive and one is in quarantine. No student cases or quarantines were reported.

Students were able to be in school mask-free this week for the first time since the pandemic hit, following a March 2 vote by the School Committee to drop the mandate.

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood reported at the committee’s March 3 meeting that the first mask-free school day had gone well.

At the middle and high school, about 25 percent of students and staff still wore masks, Shaver-Hood said. She said there was lots of excitement in the schools as people were getting to see each other’s full faces, and noted that it seemed like people were being respectful to those who still wore masks. 

Vaccination rates in town continue to slowly improve, as 65% of residents have received at least one dose and 58% are fully vaccinated.

Vaccines are now available for everyone ages 5 and up. 

To find vaccination appointments at providers around the state, go to 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.

Covid-19 tests are available by appointment at CVS, Walgreens and at Tobey Hospital. To make a test appointment through Southcoast, log in to your online MyChart portal. At-home tests are sold at Walgreens, CVS and Walmart, among other locations, but availability varies.

For help finding a test, go to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test.