NEW BEDFORD — The number of COVID-19 cases more than doubled in the city during the past week, with the state Department of Public Health reporting 3,343 new cases in New Bedford from Jan. 6-12, compared to 1,424 new cases from Dec. 30 to Jan. 5.
City officials announced a new schedule of walk-in vaccination clinics around the city and urged residents to get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and others, as the omicron variant drives higher infection rates. Officials noted the importance of getting vaccinated in the winter months when temperatures are cold and indoor gatherings can become super-spreader events.
New Bedford public health officials also listed a new schedule of COVID-19 testing clinics.
Health officials noted that the city’s rate of fully vaccinated individuals still lags behind both Bristol County and the state. Roughly 55% of New Bedford’s residents are fully vaccinated, with 64% having received at least one dose. Bristol County’s fully vaccinated rate is 62%, with 70 percent of people having at least one dose. Statewide, 75% of residents are fully vaccinated and 92% have received at least one dose.
January 13, 2022
New COVID-19 cases in New Bedford, June 21, 2021-Jan. 12, 2022
Percentage of residents fully vaccinated
Average daily cases per 100,000 residents, Dec. 26, 2021 to Jan. 8, 2022
MORE COVID-19 NEWS
New Bedford COVID testing on holiday: airport open, South End fire station closed
NEW BEDFORD — Project Beacon’s appointment-based COVID-19 testing at New Bedford Regional Airport will be open during Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17, but the walk-up clinic provided by Seven Hills Behavioral Health at former Fire Station 11 in the South End will be closed for the holiday. COVID-19 testing at the…
New Bedford cases rising as city urges vaccines and boosters at walk-in clinics
Health officials stress that vaccinations are crucial during winter months, when indoor gatherings can lead to super-spreader events, clusters, hospitalizations and severe illness among the unvaccinated.
Brock Avenue test clinic canceled Friday; testing at airport back on schedule
Besides the airport, COVID testing will also be provided at Seven Hills at PAACA and the former fire station on Brock Avenue.
Hospitals, EMS crews grapple with omicron surge in New Bedford
Health experts say they do not want people to ignore symptoms or avoid emergency care, but asked that people not use ERs for COVID-19 testing or for mild symptoms.
If COVID doesn’t get us, then COVID stress will
How much longer can we all keep gazing at these COVID numbers? How much longer can we worry about whether this place is safe or that place is not? Do I have the right mask? How can I possibly get more tests?
Omicron taking toll on New Bedford schools
All games and athletic practices through the week have been paused, following a rise in COVID-19 cases among several athletic teams. Officials will reevaluate the situation over the weekend to decide if athletic activity can resume.
State to make low-cost rapid tests available in cities and towns
Tests will cost from $5 to $26 and be available to cities and towns, counties, the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government, schools, early childhood centers, and other organizations.
Walk-up clinics offering booster shots and child vaccines for COVID-19
Pediatric vaccines are only available at some locations, and those requiring a booster shot will need to bring vaccination cards to verify previous doses.
Baker says vaxed and boosted face ‘extremely low’ COVID risk
“It’s important for everybody to understand that vaccines and boosters are in fact doing exactly what they were supposed to do, and they are our best defense.”
Gov. Baker activates National Guard as COVID cases rise, Omicron sweeps U.S.
“People should assume that it’s here,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell in reference to the Omicron variant. “It’s all the more reason to mask up, avoid folks that are vulnerable and, most importantly, get vaccinated.”
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