Health Department Updates

January 5, 2022 Update from the Health Department
 
December 27, 2021 Update from the Health Department:

COVID guidance as of 12/27/2021

December 23 Covid-19 Update from the Health Department
 
The complete update can be found here.
 
 
September 30 Covid-19 update from Leandra McLean RN, BSN, Sharon Public Health Nurse/ Administrator:
 

We are moving the needle with our efforts here in Norfolk County in regard to COVID community transmission! We have gone from HIGH risk (like the rest of the Commonwealth except Martha’s Vineyard) to SUBSTANTIAL risk over the past week. A step toward returning to a more normal life!!

  • Please continue to be vigilant.
  • Stay home if you don’t feel well.
  • Get tested if you have symptoms.
  • Wear a mask out in public or when with others you don’t live with.
  • Get vaccinated if you are able.
  • Wash your hands frequently.

Continue to monitor our progress at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

September 14 Covid-19 update from Leandra McLean RN, BSN, Sharon Public Health Nurse/ Administrator:
 
COVID-19 Cases
  • Breakdown of cases since 8/1/2021- 9/5/2021 (5 weeks):  89 POSITIVE cases investigated (figures do not include any contact tracing, unless they too became positive)
    • Under age 12/no vaccine available to age group: 10 (11%)
    • Not vaccinated: 28 (31%)
    • Fully vaccinated: Pfizer: 30 (34%)
    • Moderna: 19 (21%)
    • Janssen: 2 (2%)

These are the actual individually counted numbers for our public schools as of 9/9/2021 9am for grade 7 and higher from sources reported in health information for students/staff and MIIS (Massachusetts Immunization Information System, where vaccines are reported by providers). All COVID case information is based on a case by case breakdown from all information entered into state reporting (which should be inclusive of all positive testing) with regard to COVID cases.

Sharon Mask Mandate
  • Town buildings mask mandate: 8/5/2021
  • Town wide indoor mask mandate: 8/23/2021
  • Norfolk County has moved from “substantial” to “high” risk under Levels of Community Transmission from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sharon Public Schools
  • Sharon Public Schools returned 8/30/2021 with masks/ social distancing/ layered environmental modifications
  • Presently 63% SMS students fully vaccinated, 72% SHS fully vaccinated, 73% SPS staff fully vaccinate
  • Test and stay in place with protocols from DESE
    • No COVID + or symptomatic children/staff remain at school
    • Parents are notified of close contact exposure to make monitoring plan with school
    • Close contacts (who have no symptoms) may remain at school and test daily
    • Students with exposures outside of school are not eligible for test and stay
    • School sponsored activities (ex. sports/drama) are included in test and stay
  • SPS pool testing only 30% students/staff have enrolled
    • Easy enrollment, free, requires no confirmatory retesting
July 1 Covid-19 update from Leandra McLean RN, BSN, Sharon Public Health Nurse/ Administrator:
 
This week the World Health Organization (WHO) issued recommendations about mask wearing, especially indoors and for immunocompromised individuals in light of the spread of COVID variants. The WHO needs to encompass recommendations for the entire planet, at all levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the regulatory/guiding body for the United States, remains unchanged in guidance with respect to COVID. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (Mass DPH) is making no changes to masking recommendations for the Commonwealth.
 
The biggest concern worldwide, remains the unvaccinated populations. ALL of the vaccines have proven highly effective in preventing morbidity and mortality- including for the Delta Variant. The statistics are showing the Delta Variant is the most easily spread form of the COVID virus- now accounting for 26% of cases in the US.
 
Over the past month, many of the governing boards of medicine (pediatrics, adult medicine, cardiology, critical care and many others) have met to discuss concerns about increased prevalence of myocarditis and pericarditis post vaccine, and ALL have agreed that the benefits of the vaccine FAR outweigh the potential risk.
 
Resources: