According to the Commonwealth the towns percent positive rate has modestly fallen to 10.83 percent. This rate is based upon 120 tests conducted as of 5/28/22. This translates to about 13 cases. Generally, any number over 5 percent is considered high (the Commonwealth overall has also gone up to about 8.44 percent in recent days). To read more on this important metric please click here to see an informative article from Johns Hopkins. The percent positive metric is important because it gives us an indication of how widespread infection actually is in our area. A higher percent positive suggests higher transmission and that there are likely more people with coronavirus in the community who haven’t been tested. Unfortunately, our current number is above 5 percent, which is not a great sign. But we've seen a small decrease since the last update and our estimated case number has dropped modestly.
While the percent positive rate has generally dropped compared to earlier stages of the pandemic it's also worth noting that many more people are testing at home and those results aren't reported. So we could have more cases then what is currently indicated. As such residents are urged to remain cautious. Please still carefully consider all precautions you can take for any gatherings including any element you can do outdoors, ventillation considerations like open windows, and limiting activites and/or gatherings to those who are vaccinated. If you qualify for a booster, please consider scheduling it if you haven't already done so. Since the emergence of the Omicron variant the CDC has expanded their recommendation for boosters to encompass everyone ages 18 years and older if they are at least two months after their initial J&J vaccine or six months after completing their primary COVID-19 vaccination series of Pfizer or Moderna. They also recommend anyone who hasn't been vaccinate seek vaccination. Vaccination is our best way to fight this virus.
New variants of the virus continue to be found. This virus is not gone. Particulary the Omicron variant. We have vaccines and many are now vaccinated (Middlesex County, per the Commonwealth, has reached the 91 percentile of one dose administered and 61 percent for those who are boosted as of 6/02/22. Per the Board of Health the town remains at 72 percent fully vaccinated), but many still are not. They are good vaccines, but not 100% and vaccine efficacy may vary depending on the variant, particularly in regards to Omicron. We have thankfully entered a period of warm weather as summer arrives. But temperatures will continue to swing with some hot days possibly inhibiting some outdoor activities. Indoor activities still have a higher risk of transmission. Consider carefully any activities or gatherings with others.
The new variants continue to spread with several subvariants of Omicron now the most common varriant in New England collectively totaling (100 percent). Metrics for the variants is per the CDC's latest sequencing data published on 5/28/22. The variants are in some cases more transmissible (especially Omicron Stealth). Thankfully Omicron appears to be mildly symptomatic. However, it is highly contagious and causes high rates of reinfection. Which returns us to the point that it cannot be stressed enough that this virus has no feet. It cannot travel without people to carry it. By no means is this pandemic yet over as the emergence of Omicron and its variants have demonstrated. We must not allow fatigue to cause us to let our guards down. If we each keep ourselves safe and get vaccinated we create road blocks for the virus and help keep others safe.
Please continue to honor social distancing and wear a mask where applicable. Be advised that the CDC has changed its mask guidance and is now saying that masks are not always necessary in indoor settings. Whether a person should wear a mask or not depends on local rules as well as if there is a high likelihood of COVID transmission at a community level. The CDC also recommends that people be cautious and wear a mask if they are sick and need to be around others. In response to the CDC's change in guidance as well as in response to the actions of the Governor, the Board of Health has lifted its order that masks be worn in all common areas of public buildings in Dunstable. People visiting public buildings may continue to wear masks at their preference. Please be aware that for schools Governor Baker through the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) has ordered that mask mandates in K-12 public schools be dropped by 2/28/22. Still, DESE and the Department of Public Health (DPH) continue to advise students and faculty to wear masks in certain scenarios. Individual school districts may also continue to have some latitude on the imposition of mask mandates for students. To stay up to date on school related matters click here to sign up for updates from our school district.
Please note that while the Governor's mask order was rescinded in May 2021, DPH has issued a new mask advisory as of April 2022. Please click here to see it. With all of that in mind please enjoy the beautiful early summer weather and remember indoors still remains a higher risk. Be advised that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has announced that vaccines will be delivered in phases as recommended by the federal government. For further detail please click here to see the Mass.gov page for the COVID-19 vaccine roll out. For the latest on COVID-19 updates, the Governor's latest orders, updates, etc. please click here to see the relevant Mass.gov page.
