Hull records ‘biggest increase’ in virus cases since outbreak began

covidHull remains in the high-risk red zone for coronavirus cases, with the Board of Health tracking 51 new cases reported from Dec. 30 through Jan. 6. That caseload brings the total for the town in 2020 to 341, according to public health nurse Joyce Sullivan.

“This is the biggest increase we have seen since the beginning,” Sullivan told The Hull Times. The newly reported number, she said, “is most likely due to social gatherings over the holidays.”

The Board of Health performs contact tracing in accordance with state requirements, whether a case is positive or probable, a process that involves notifying those who have come in contact with individuals who have tested positive.

Sullivan’s COVID-19 statistics differ from those released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health each week because her office counts probable cases as well as positive cases.

“When we do the contact tracing, many [of the individuals] are symptomatic, so we count them as well,” Sullivan said. “MDPH doesn’t in the numbers they put out to the public.”

In a related news development, the Board of Health has been approved to receive the Moderna coronavirus vaccine. “We are scheduled to vaccinate our fire and police [department members] and first responders next

week,” Sullivan said. “We will be following MDPH guidelines for [administering the vaccinations]. As soon as we have [enough of the] vaccine, we will begin vaccine clinics.” (See accompanying chart.)

The date of the next shipment is not known at this time, but Sullivan said the Board of Health will make every effort to keep residents posted with essential information.

“We’re asking the community to continue to follow COVID-19 guidance,” she said, “to maintain 6 feet when social distancing, wear a face mask, wash your hands, and avoid crowds.”