Island health agents reported 32 new cases of Covid-19 from last week, as cases keep trending downward and vaccination efforts churn ahead. Roughly 76 per cent of the Island population has received a first shot, according to state data, with 49 per cent of the population now fully vaccinated.
The vast majority of those who are vaccinated are older, the data also shows. The vaccination numbers remain the highest in the state, alongside Nantucket and Barnstable counties.
In their weekly update Monday, Vineyard health agents said there had been 32 cases between May 2 and May 8, with 17 tested at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, 10 at TestMV, one from the tribe’s testing program and two from another provider.
As in previous weeks, most of the cases were among younger people.
Nationally, Massachusetts vaccination numbers by population are among the highest in the country, with 60.1 per cent of the total state population receiving at least one dose, according to data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Demand for shots has begun to drop in recent weeks on Island, mirroring trends around the state and country.
Statewide, Gov. Charlie Baker continued with the final stages of the commonwealth’s reopening plan Monday, allowing outdoor stadiums to increase capacity to 25 per cent. Amusement parks, roller rinks, and water parks will also be allowed to reopen at 50 per cent capacity.
Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH, and youth sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate or high risk sports.
Indoor singing was also allowed to return Monday. The Ritz honored the change with a midnight performance from Sean McMahon and his wife Siren Mayhew, the Island’s first live indoor music event in more than 14 months.
Also Monday, the Vineyard Trust announced on Instagram that the historic Flying Horses carousel would reopen on Memorial Day weekend. Covid protocols will include special cleaning, masks for all people — and horses, the announcement said.
