Covid Infections Jump in Rehoboth

The rate of Covid infections in Rehoboth has doubled in the last two weeks, according to Geraldine Hamel, the Public Health Nurse.

Hamel said the town finished April with a 6.8 percent positivity rate. On May 5, the number jumped to 10.28 percent. Last week, there were 52 positive test results. The rate is up to nearly 12 percent, Hamel noted.

There are eight patients from the town hospitalized with Covid at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Two are in the intensive care unit.

Hamel advised residents to be “cognizant of social distancing, wearing a mask, keeping your hands washed.”

Hamel was recently sick with the virus. 

“It’s a pretty rotten cold to have, but it’s not pneumonia, it’s not wreaking havoc on the healthy,” Hamel said at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting. “We do want to be extremely cautious with those of us who have underlying conditions.”

The virus spreads when you are within six feet of another person for longer than 15 minutes. Hamel said gathering in a well ventilated place will reduce the risk of contracting Covid.

The spike in infections is happening across Massachusetts. The statewide daily positivity rate for the last two weeks was 6.35 percent.