All Phase 1 Individuals Eligible for Vaccination
IPSWICH — The Town of Ipswich wishes to share an update regarding the state’s distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccination.
On Thursday, Jan. 21, Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the remainder of individuals listed as part of phase one of the state’s vaccination distribution plan are immediately eligible to receive the vaccine.
The remaining phase one categories include home-based health care workers and health care workers providing non-COVID-19 facing care. This does not include those who do not come in contact with patients, however. For more information on the types of health care workers included in phase one, click here.
To view a map from the state of vaccination sites, click here. Certain vaccination sites are restricted to specific groups eligible through Phase 1, and the above link also outlines identification requirements. All sites require an appointment to be made in advance.
The vaccine is expected to be available to the general public in April. To view the state’s distribution timeline, please click here.
Town officials will continue to monitor the situation and share updates, such as specific dates of when the vaccine may become available to more people, as that information becomes available.
For the latest updates regarding vaccination distribution in Massachusetts, click here.
To learn more about frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine, click here.
Those with questions about the vaccine are asked to contact the state by emailing [email protected].
Stay Informed about the Status of COVID-19 in Town
According to public health data released on Thursday, Jan. 21, the Town’s designation remains at “Red,” indicating a “high risk” of spread in the community. The average daily incidence rate for the Town of Ipswich is 63.9 per 100,000 residents, up from 55.9 last week.
Ipswich officials report that there are currently 67 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. There have been a total of 523 cases in Ipswich since the start of the pandemic, and the most recent COVID-19 tests in the community have a 6.98 percent positivity rate.
Gov. Baker announced that the state’s stay-at-home advisory and early closure order for businesses will be lifted on Monday, Jan. 25. However, capacity limits remain in place until further notice. More information about the announcement and the restrictions that remain in place can be found here.
Residents are reminded to always take the following precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community:
- Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing — maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others — is critical.
- Those who must go out are urged to:
- Avoid gathering in groups
- Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
- Do not shake hands or hug
- Wash your hands often
- Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
- Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces at all times.
- Face coverings should:
- Cover the nose and mouth
- Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with either ties or ear loops
- Permit breathing without difficulty
- Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.
For the latest COVID-19 updates for the Town of Ipswich, visit ipswichcovid19.com.
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