Covid Cases Increase Dramatically in Bristol County

Communities in Bristol County continue to see increased cases of Covid-19, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For the 14 day testing period which ended on December 11, Rehoboth reported an average daily incidence rate of 65.2 per 100,000 residents. Seekonk’s average daily incidence rate was 41.8 per 100,000 residents. However, the two towns’ case numbers were much lower than Swansea (109.7 per 100,000), Dighton (117.1 per 100,000), and Fall River, which had 109.2 per 100,000 residents.

Seekonk reported a daily positivity rate of 10.13 percent. Rehoboth reported a daily positivity rate of 12.06 percent.

Swansea’s daily positivity rate was 13.76 percent. Dighton’s was 14.20 percent. Fall River’s was 10.48 percent.

Rehoboth Selectmen Chairman Skip Vadnais said the town has taken the necessary steps to protect residents. The town is in the process of hiring a full-time Public Health Nurse. There is also a Community Health oversight board.

Rehoboth also has a contract with Anawan Pharmacy to provide vaccinations.

“We’ve done everything we possibly can except go down, handcuff the people, and force them to get a shot,” Vadnais said, adding all the safety protocols were being followed such as requiring face coverings at the new Council on Aging at Francis Farm.

Bristol County’s Average Daily Incidence Rate was 86.6 per 100,000 residents.

There were 721 new cases reported county-wide. The percent positivity average statewide for the two week testing period was 4.97 percent.