New covid cases in Wareham dropped slightly this week to 231 — although that number is more than double the highest number of new weekly cases during the first waves of the pandemic. 

The town’s first week with more than 200 cases was Jan. 6, when 271 cases were reported.

This is the second week the number of cases has decreased. Last week, there were 359 cases.

The town’s vaccination rate continues to inch up. The state reported on Jan. 27 that 64 percent of Wareham residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Fifty-seven percent of residents are fully vaccinated.

Covid cases were up this week at Wareham Public Schools. A total of 41 students tested positive for covid — 29 of them at Wareham Elementary School. Four staff members tested positive. Forty-six students were quarantined, along with one staff member. 

Southcoast Health offers the Pfizer vaccine each Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the clinic at 100 Rosebrook Way. For more information about Southcoast’s vaccination clinics, go to https://www.southcoast.org/covid-19-vaccination/.

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

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