Health

COVID-19 cases continue to surge, spread on Cape Cod

BARNSTABLE, Mass. — COVID-19 cases continue to surge and spread on Cape Cod.

There are now 7 towns in the red zone for highest risk of transmission, and some local health officials fear it could get worse.

“I feel that we need more vaccine because I think we’re seeing this surge, I’m looking at it as possibly the start of a third wave,” said Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy on Friday. “I think it’s probably the new P1 variants, there’s the UK variant also here. I think COVID is just getting stronger here on the Cape.”

Cape Cod towns now in the red zone include Barnstable, Yarmouth, Sandwich, Mashpee, Dennis, Brewster and Harwich.

“Obviously the variants are a factor, but also people are continuing to let their guard down more,” said Yarmouth Port resident Vicki Tashjian.

Earlier this week, Barnstable Public Schools announced that all students would switch to remote learning on Thursday and Friday.

The news came after learning the town had the highest average daily rate of cases in the entire state last week.

Superintendent Dr. Meg Mayo-Brown said in a letter that families should receive an email on Sunday afternoon, letting them know if students are able to return to in-person learning on Monday.

On Friday, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School held a vaccine clinic as a precaution and said they would do the same again on Monday from noon until 6 p.m.

According to State Representative Tim Whelan, representing the 1st Barnstable district, more mobile testing units will soon be set up across Cape Cod.

“Please, please be extra careful. Now is not the time to let our guard down,” he said Friday. “We have to see these numbers come back down, and fast, in order to build confidence within our community, as we approach what we’re hoping will be a very successful summer season.”

Whelan added that time is of the essence to get case numbers down, before tourists start to arrive.

“Our small businesses, our Cape economy relies on everybody doing the right thing right now to try and get our hands around this spike in the numbers, and to contain it and see those numbers go back down as quickly as possible,” he said.

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