Cohasset sees 30 new COVID cases, but positivity rates decline

Despite seeing its second largest week-to-week jump in cases to date, Cohasset’s COVID-19 numbers appear to be improving.

Cohasset’s total case count is up to 282 following 30 new positive tests in the state’s latest release.

The numbers were enough to keep Cohasset in the state’s highest “red” risk category for a seventh straight week, but not so many as to keep the town’s positivity rate rising.

Following two straight weeks of an average daily incidence rate per 100,000 residents of 63.1, Cohasset saw that number dip to just 50.5.

The town’s positivity rate also showed marked improvement, falling all the way to 3.76% from the previous week’s 4.77%.

That number represents the lowest positivity rate in Cohasset since the state’s Dec. 17 release.

In total, 676 tests were administered to residents last week, the highest weekly total to date.

Cohasset continues to see the effects of the surge in cases, as the two-month caseload of December and January represents over two-thirds of the town’s total caseload since the beginning of the pandemic. One hundred ninety eight of the towns 282 cases have been reported in the last eight weeks.

State numbers

The state announced 4,222 new virus cases on Thursday, bringing the total up to 488,861. This is 25,951 new cases since last week, compared to an increase of 29,613 new cases from Jan. 14 to Jan. 21. 

Now, 14,056 people across Massachusetts are confirmed for having died from the virus, including 434 new deaths since Jan. 21. Last week, the state reported 466 new deaths.

The state's seven-day positivity rate dropped from 5.57% a week ago to  4.44% as of Thursday. Over the same period, the seven-day average number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 declined from 2,196.1 to 1,995.6.

Statewide, 192 cities and towns are now marked as "red," or at highest risk for coronavirus transmission, down from 222 last week.

Changes to vaccine order

Last week, the Baker administration announced a shuffling of the order in which those eligible for vaccines under phase 2 of the state's roll out plan can receive them. 

The change moves people between the ages of 65 and 75 and those with two or more comorbidities ahead of frontline, non-healthcare workers like teachers and transportation and grocery workers. Healthcare workers are already eligible to be vaccinated during phase 1. Those over 75 are first in line during phase 2, which is expected to start some time in February. 

Teachers unions pushed back on the decision, saying it endangers educators who are being pressured to teach in-person by pushing back their vaccines by several weeks.

"The governor keeps pushing schools to reopen for in-person learning more quickly, regardless of the risks to staff and students, yet he has just made it much harder to do that safely," American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Beth Kontos said in a statement.

Gov. Charlie Baker also announced this week that he intends to significantly ramp up vaccine distribution, after criticism that roll-out has been too slow. This includes adding dozens of new vaccine sites.

Last month, there was a notable lack of public vaccination sites on the South Shore. Now, a state map of sites shows there are ones in Hanover and Halifax that are open to all eligible state residents.

Marathon could happen in October

Organizers for the Boston Marathon are tentatively targeting Oct. 11 as the date for this year's race if road races can take place under Massachusetts regulations by that point, the Boston Athletic Association announced Tuesday.

The association postponed, then ultimately canceled the 2020 contest for the first time in the race's history.

"We announce the 2021 Boston Marathon date with a cautious optimism, understanding full well that we will continue to be guided by science and our continued collaborative work with local, city, state, and public health officials," BAA CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement.

Road races are not included until phase 4 of the Baker administration's phased reopening plan, which is contingent upon availability of vaccines or COVID-19 treatments. In a statement published by the BAA, Baker said his team "remain(s) hopeful that the 125th Boston Marathon can take place this October."

Material from the State House News Service was used in this report. Audrey Cooney contributed to this report.