Task force monitors uptick in Cape virus cases
Group looks for reason behind increase and whether it could affect reopening
Massachusetts Department of Public Health data shows a recent increase of COVID-19 cases on Cape Cod, and that has caught the attention of the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force.
The task force wants to know the reason for the uptick, what it signifies and the effect it could have on the region as the economy gradually reawakens.
“This is a trend and not a spike,” said state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, who serves as public information officer for the task force. “It is possible that these numbers largely relate to an isolated event and could move downward in the coming days. We need to stay very vigilant.”
In the past several weeks, the Cape has been averaging four new cases per day, but since last weekend it has been averaging nine new cases per day. The three-day moving average of new case counts on the Cape has not been that high since mid-May.
“We want to be forthright about what we know and don’t know,” said Cyr, noting it is unknown what is causing the increase, who the positives are, or other socioeconomic data. “We don’t know whether this increase will be sustained or will dissipate.”
Cyr is closely watching hospitalization numbers, which are considered a lagging indicator of cases. He said the task force may be compelled to make policy changes if increased hospitalizations become a concern.
“We don’t see a spike out of one community or a certain geography,” he said. “We are assessing the increase in cases, but they continue to be sporadic and geographically dispersed, with the exception of the (private party) incident in Chatham.”
Chatham town officials confirmed Wednesday that 10 people at a party attended by restaurant workers in that town July 12 had confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Cyr strongly advises people to “take it outdoors” if they want to socialize, and even then to do it in small groups and take necessary safety precautions.
There is also an effort underway to add testing capability on Cape Cod to supplement existing operations, according to Cyr. This includes a request for assistance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Cyr also urges people to cooperate with contact tracers if they receive a call, and to be honest about where they have been and with whom.
“This is about keeping people safe and reducing the spread of COVID-19 in our community, and not getting anyone in trouble,” Cyr said. “The most helpful thing you can do is speak to a contact tracer and, if advised, to get a test.”
Follow Geoff Spillane on Twitter: @GSpillaneCCT.