By WXTK News
Jan 20, 2021
The Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment announced the launch of a region wide helpline to respond to COVID-19 related questions; it came online yesterday.
10 Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers have been trained to answer questions about COVID-19, such as how to get a COVID-19 test or how to help someone navigate the three-phased approach to vaccination.
Volunteers cannot provide individual clinical advice or a diagnosis through the helpline.
The helpline will be taking calls beginning next Tuesday, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-774-330-3001.
Coronavirus Covid-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccinations began rolling out in mid-December on Cape Cod as part of a three-phase schedule set up by Massachusetts health officials. Phase two began its rocky road on Feb. 1 as people ages 75 and up are the first group eligible for vaccinations, which was expanded Feb. 18 to include about 1 million people age 65 and up.
Each phase is subdivided by eligible groups of people based on age, health risks, jobs and other factors. Vaccinations for the general public will begin in April in phase three.
Latest: Glitches mar expansion of phase two vaccines
Gov. Charlie Baker opened up phase two COVID-19 vaccinations Feb. 18 to people age 65 and up. Cape officials were already worried about not enough vaccine available for people age 75 and up who still haven t gotten shots. (Read more from Times reporter Cynthia McCormick)
The state Department of Public Health said in its Friday daily report that there are 5,074 newly confirmed cases of coronavirus in Massachusetts, including 129 on the Cape and Islands.
Also on Friday, the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment announced it will launch a regionwide helpline phone number to answer COVID-related questions at 8 a.m., Tuesday. Ten Cape Cod Medical Reserve Corps volunteers have been trained to answer questions about COVID-19, such as how to get a COVID-19 test or how to help someone navigate the three-phased approach to vaccination, county officials said in a press release.
Barnstable County Communications Manager Sonja Sheasley said county staff is being inundated with questions, especially from residents who are confused about when and how they can get a vaccine.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Steamship crew members test positive
Mariners on ferries Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket sidelined.
Some positive cases of COVID-19 have caused some changes in scheduling for the Steamship Authority. -Rich Saltzberg
Two Steamship Authority crew members have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, one on the MV Martha’s Vineyard and one on the MV Nantucket. Neither employee’s name is being disclosed by the ferry line for reasons of medical privacy. The MV Martha’s Vineyard crew member last worked on a Vineyard route shift that began at noon on Jan. 10, and ended at 11:30 am on Jan. 11, according to a release.