Cape health officials say a perfect storm of variants and pandemic fatigue contributed to a third wave of COVID-19 cases that filled area hospital beds and closed the doors of the Cape's largest school system for over a week this spring. By mid-March, the towns of Barnstable and Yarmouth had the highest positivity rates in the state. At one point Barnstable's positivity rate was 10.20% , more than five times the state average. Areas of the Cape continue to remain in the state's highest-risk red zone. While case numbers are dropping, Cape officials fear next week's April school vacation week will create another surge as families travel and visit with friends and relatives.