CAPE COD – As the national death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 10,000 today (more than three times the death toll from 9/11). The Mass DPH today reported 29 more deaths statewide for a total of 260. One of the deaths was from Barnstable County, reported as a male in his 90s who was hospitalized and had preexisting conditions bringing the Cape Cod death toll to 7. There are 383 active COVID-19 cases in Barnstable County.
In local reports, Falmouth reported today 76 active cases (up from 57 on Friday). Barnstable reported 53 active cases (up from 47 on Friday). In Provincetown, officials report 5 confirmed active cases of Coronavirus, 1 death from complications related to COVID-19 (see related story below), and 16 additional cases are considered recovered and have been cleared from quarantine by the public health nurse according to CDC Protocol.
Courtesy of Lower Cape Communications/CWN
The COVID -19 Pandemic hit too close in Provincetown overnight with that town’s first reported death. Provincetown community radio station WOMR announced the passing of one of their DJs from COVID-19. In a statement on social media, the station said “We are very sad to report that longtime WOMR volunteer DJ and Motown guru John Perrone passed away today (Sunday) from the COVID-19 virus. Our love and our hearts go out to his friends and family.”
No other details were released.
Nantucket Cottage Hospital is also reporting a death on the island. A statement from the hospital says “A patient diagnosed with COVID-19 has died as a result of complications related to the disease at Nantucket Cottage Hospital on April 5, 2020.
We want to express our deepest sympathy to the family and loved ones of this patient.
While respecting patient confidentiality, we also want to convey that Nantucket Cottage Hospital is focused on providing the best care for every patient, following family wishes, and providing comfort care at the end of life if necessary.
Today’s news should also serve as a somber reminder to the island community that we must continue to take this situation extremely seriously, take every precaution, and continue to adhere to the orders put in place by the Town of Nantucket to protect the island.”
In other developments, The Baker-Polito Administration has provided $5 million in emergency funding to local boards of health across Massachusetts, of which a total of $200,000 has been allocated to Barnstable County to help communities across Cape Cod respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In collaboration with the Cape’s 15 towns, and acting as fiscal agent to the region, Barnstable County is ensuring that all municipalities receive the appropriated funds. Total funding is being distributed as follows:
Barnstable $34,022.00
Bourne $10,960.00
Brewster $9,338.00
Chatham $16,798.00
Dennis $16,456.00
Eastham $6,776.00
Falmouth $28,128.00
Harwich $12,982.00
Mashpee $12,782.00
Orleans $9,680.00
Provincetown $7,004.00
Sandwich $9,794.00
Truro $5,238.00
Wellfleet $5,750.00
Yarmouth $14,292.00
Total $200,000.00
Funds will be used for staffing and contracts for surveillance, contact tracing, data management, purchasing PPE for local public health staff, and other public health-related services needed to respond to COVID-19.
Deputy Director of the Department of Health and Environment Erika Woods, called the funding “a much-needed acquisition of resources to combat the virus throughout the region….”, Woods added, “The state funding provides expedient, critical, timely resources and supplies that will be available to each municipality.”
In public health emergencies such as COVID-19, local health departments are stretched to the limit both in staffing and funding. By allowing for quick access to this short-term funding, the State has allowed for those departments to adjust their resources to respond rapidly to the evolving situation.
How Funds are Distributed
Equalized Valuations (EQVs), which have historically been used as a variable in determining a fair and equitable distribution of County Tax to the Towns of Barnstable County, are also being applied with the distribution of Barnstable County COVID-19 Response Grants to the 15 local boards of health.
Barnstable County, with input from the towns, came to a consensus that using this method versus using population-based calculations helps to even out distribution and promote equity.
Significantly, each of the 15 towns was involved in the discussion of this distribution method. If there is an additional identified need, the County and all towns will be involved in the decision to re-allocate the funds as deemed necessary.
By Tim Caldwell/CWN.
