As of December 23, 2021, there have been 18 positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Worthington in the past two weeks. In addition, we know of many non-reported cases, both symptomatic and nonsymptomatic, in close contacts who have either tested using home kits or have decided not to test.
Among the people who contracted COVID in December, three were vaccinated. One person has been hospitalized. There were several positives among families with ties to the R.H. Conwell school resulting in a large number of close contact exposures and early closure.
This is the highest number of cases in any two week period we’ve experienced since the pandemic began and is in keeping with the trend throughout Massachusetts. We expect this trend to continue for at least the next few weeks.
The reported cases for 2021 by month:
January: 8 cases
February: 3 cases
March: 3 cases
April: 1 case
May: 3 cases
June: 0 cases
July: 1 case
August: 4 cases
September: 3 cases
October: 5 cases
November: 8 cases
December (so far): 18 cases (all in the last two weeks)
Although there have been several breakthrough cases among vaccinated people, the greater number of cases have been among the unvaccinated. For those who received their vaccinations in the first half of 2021, boosters appear to be needed to enhance immunity. You can get COVID again if you had it before, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated. Data confirm that any breakthrough infections in the vaccinated continue relatively mild, although those with pre-existing health conditions remain at high risk.
WE KNOW EVERYONE IS EXTREMELY TIRED OF THIS AND EAGER TO GET BACK TO LIFE AS IT WAS BEFORE ALL THIS STARTED, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, PLEASE GET TESTED. IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS — headaches, sneezing, runny nose, cough, loss of appetite and especially loss of smell or taste, please stay home and avoid exposing others. Extra caution is urged for those traveling during this holiday season or welcoming guests from other communities.
PLEASE GET BOOSTED OR VACCINATED. The Board of Health recommends wearing masks in all indoor settings and outdoors when in situations where you are with people who are not part of your family or usual group of friends.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP — HOPEFULLY 2022 WILL BE A VERY DIFFERENT YEAR.