Genetic sequencing of initial samples associated with the recent COVID-19 cluster in Provincetown, Massachusetts, have tested positive for the delta variant, the Department of Public Health said. The delta variant is known to be more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus, the DPH said.”Individuals infected with the delta variant tend to have more virus in their respiratory tract than other variants and infected individuals may carry the virus longer,” the DPH said.Provincetown officials and health officials became aware of an outbreak, which involved many breakthrough cases, following the Fourth of July holiday.The town, at the tip of Cape Cod, has a year-round population of about 3,000 people. That number swells to 60,000 in the summer.At least 256 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the Fourth of July holiday cluster in Provincetown.The DPH said Thursday that 190 of the cases are were Massachusetts residents, with 109 of the patients residing in Barnstable County.”The remainder of individuals who tested positive reside in other states or jurisdictions outside of Massachusetts,” the DPH said in a statement shared by Provincetown town manager Alex Morse.Previously, the DPH reported 132 positive COVID-19 cases associated with the Provincetown cluster.Morse said testing was the town’s best tool to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.”Public response to COVID-19 testing has been robust, with over 3,000 tests having been administered in Provincetown since July 1,” Morse said.On Tuesday, the Boston Public Health Commission said at least 35 COVID-19 cases in Boston residents were traced back to the cluster in Provincetown, adding that the overwhelming majority of the patients were fully vaccinated. The city’s health commission issued new guidance Tuesday to all Boston residents who have traveled to Provincetown so far during the month of July and until further notice.The city’s health commission is telling anyone who has visited Provincetown since July 1 to get tested for COVID-19 at least five days after returning, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms.Boston health officials are also asking visitors to self-isolate and avoid groups or gatherings for at least five days and until they receive a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status.A Provincetown public health advisory urges everyone to get vaccinated, isolate and get tested if they experience symptoms. It also urges venues to enforce vaccine verification and suggests everyone wear masks indoors when social distancing cannot be achieved.
Genetic sequencing of initial samples associated with the recent COVID-19 cluster in Provincetown, Massachusetts, have tested positive for the delta variant, the Department of Public Health said.
The delta variant is known to be more transmissible than the original COVID-19 virus, the DPH said.
“Individuals infected with the delta variant tend to have more virus in their respiratory tract than other variants and infected individuals may carry the virus longer,” the DPH said.
Provincetown officials and health officials became aware of an outbreak, which involved many breakthrough cases, following the Fourth of July holiday.
The town, at the tip of Cape Cod, has a year-round population of about 3,000 people. That number swells to 60,000 in the summer.
At least 256 confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been linked to the Fourth of July holiday cluster in Provincetown.
The DPH said Thursday that 190 of the cases are were Massachusetts residents, with 109 of the patients residing in Barnstable County.
“The remainder of individuals who tested positive reside in other states or jurisdictions outside of Massachusetts,” the DPH said in a statement shared by Provincetown town manager Alex Morse.
Previously, the DPH reported 132 positive COVID-19 cases associated with the Provincetown cluster.
Morse said testing was the town’s best tool to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the coronavirus.
“Public response to COVID-19 testing has been robust, with over 3,000 tests having been administered in Provincetown since July 1,” Morse said.
On Tuesday, the Boston Public Health Commission said at least 35 COVID-19 cases in Boston residents were traced back to the cluster in Provincetown, adding that the overwhelming majority of the patients were fully vaccinated. The city’s health commission issued new guidance Tuesday to all Boston residents who have traveled to Provincetown so far during the month of July and until further notice.
The city’s health commission is telling anyone who has visited Provincetown since July 1 to get tested for COVID-19 at least five days after returning, regardless of vaccination status or symptoms.
Boston health officials are also asking visitors to self-isolate and avoid groups or gatherings for at least five days and until they receive a negative COVID-19 test, regardless of vaccination status.
A Provincetown public health advisory urges everyone to get vaccinated, isolate and get tested if they experience symptoms. It also urges venues to enforce vaccine verification and suggests everyone wear masks indoors when social distancing cannot be achieved.