Town Of Dedham: A Message From The Board Of Health – January 7, 2022

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

01/07/2022 8:30 AM

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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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.

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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.

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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

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.