DEDHAM – Dedham, like the rest of the Commonwealth, is experiencing an overwhelming increase in the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. As of December 30, 2021, the two-week case count for Dedham was 216 cases, which is almost double Dedham’s two-week case count of 113 as of December 16, 2021. This is largely due to the Omicron Variant being highly contagious and holiday indoor gatherings. Preliminary data indicates that although very contagious, the Omicron Variant does not cause as severe illness in most people compared to other variants, especially in people who are vaccinated. Please note, reported case numbers do not include the number of residents who tested positive using at-home antigen tests and so the true case numbers are presumed significantly higher than what is reported here.
Below please find COVID-19 information as of January 6, 2022. More statistics can be found on www.mass.gov.
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Total Cases
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New Cases
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14-day Percent Positivity
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Dedham
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3,848
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205 (in 2022)
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6.25%
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MA
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1,017,429
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27,612 (on January 4, 2022)
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7.74%
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NOTE: These numbers do not include the people who tested positive with at-home antigen tests.
Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
As of December 29, 2021, The MA Department of Public Health (MDPH) issued the following isolation and quarantine guidance.
- What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19? ISOLATE
- How to Isolate:
- Stay at home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms resolve after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days.
- If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate!
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NOTE: As of January 5, 2022, the CDC recommends that people with COVID-19 have a negative at-home antigen test before ending isolation. MDPH is reviewing this recommendation and will need to officially adopt it before this is required in Massachusetts.
- What do I do if I have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19? QUARANTINE
- How to quarantine if you have been boosted or recently vaccinated:
If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- If possible, test on day 5.
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home.
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- How to quarantine if you are unvaccinated, not boosted, or were not vaccinated recently:
If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:
- Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
- If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.
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CDC Recommends Pfizer Booster at 5 Months
In January 4, 2022 press release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended shortening the interval between the primary Pfizer vaccination series and a booster to 5 months from 6 months. The booster interval recommendation has not changed for Moderna (6 months) and Johnson & Johnson (2 months). MDPH is reviewing this recommendation and will need to officially adopt it before this can be done in Massachusetts.
CDC and MDPH Recommend Pfizer Booster for People 12-17 Years Old
The CDC and MDPH now recommend a booster for people ages 12-17 years old. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only authorized vaccine for this age group. More information can be found in the CDC’s press release from January 5, 2022, and booster appointments can be made online at www.vaxfinder.mass.gov.
CDC Recommends an Additional Primary Dose of Vaccine for Immunocompromised 5 – 11 Years Old
The CDC announced in a press release on January 4, 2022 that it now recommends that moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals 5 – 11 years old receive an additional primary dose of vaccine 28 days after their second shot.
Stay safe and be kind!
Respectfully submitted by the Board of Health,
Leanne Jasset, Chairman
Mary Ellard, Vice-Chairman
Noreen Guilfoyle, Member
