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and Health Agents continued to assist residents with
<br /> For the second year, the world battled the scheduling and,when appropriate,to refer individuals
<br /> COVID-19 pandemic and suffered its far-reaching and to state or county hotlines. Mashpee seniors were also
<br /> devastating effects. By the end of 2020, the death-toll referred to the Community Health Center for
<br /> from COVID-19 had exceeded 330,000 in the United scheduling purposes. On March 22, 2021,
<br /> States;however,we also saw the first glimmer of hope, Massachusetts implemented the fourth and final phase
<br /> as the pioneering research of scientists helped to speed of its're-opening plan, loosening capacity restrictions
<br /> up the initial development of two vaccines—the Pfizer and authorizing several previously closed business
<br /> and the Moderna. After determining that the two sectors to resume limited operations. Health Agents
<br /> vaccines met their standards, the Food and Drug provided businesses with revised employee safety
<br /> Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use standards, and fielded questions from the public about
<br /> Authorizations (EUAs) for them to be administered relaxed travel restrictions. The health agents also
<br /> beginning in December 2020. assisted Town departments and local businesses in
<br /> planning for future events and activities,to ensure they
<br /> In January 2021,Health Agents continued to plan would be conducted safely.
<br /> for, and coordinate with state and local factions, the
<br /> critical task of facilitating the vaccination of eligible In mid-April 2021, Massachusetts announced a
<br /> Phase 1 individuals,including clinical and non-clinical pause in the use of the J&J vaccine amid reports of
<br /> healthcare workers, first responders and vulnerable blood clots in six recipients. Health Agents responded
<br /> populations. Health Agents began working with the to dozens of questions and concerns from the public
<br /> Town Clerk, the Council on Aging, and other Town regarding the possible risks associated with the single-
<br /> departments to identify residents over the age of 65 for dose vaccine, with most callers being referred to their
<br /> vaccination planning purposes. Food establishments primary care physicians. By late April,Phase 3 of the
<br /> were notified that the statewide curfew on businesses vaccine distribution plan was underway, and Mashpee
<br /> had been lifted, and were updated on the status of began vaccinating residents as young as age 16. Health
<br /> temporary capacity restrictions. Agents coordinated with the Mashpee Fire Department
<br /> and Council on Aging, as well as the Community
<br /> In February 2021, we entered Phase 2 of the Health Center of Cape Cod to vaccinate dozens of
<br /> vaccine distribution plan, which prioritized the oldest homebound citizens. Using a list compiled by
<br /> and most vulnerable,and added certain categories such volunteers recruited by the Cape Cod Medical Reserve
<br /> as K-12 educators/staff and childcare workers, and Corps,Health Agents were able to reach out directly to
<br /> individuals with certain medical conditions. Health approximately 75 Mashpee seniors and arrange for
<br /> Agents continued to compile information to assist with them to be vaccinated at two local clinics held by the
<br /> vaccination planning efforts, including demographic Mashpee Housing Authority. Food establishments
<br /> information and resources to help facilitate vaccine were advised about expanded outdoor dining for the
<br /> scheduling and transportation. The process of upcoming summer season, and the re-opening plan for
<br /> vaccinating the Mashpee population presented many Mashpee Library was evaluated. Mashpee Tribal
<br /> challenges. Due to supply and demand issues, access Health Center graciously offered vaccine appointments
<br /> to the vaccines was initially very limited,and the online to Town employees.
<br /> scheduling process was frustrating,particularly for our
<br /> elderly population. Board of Health staff enrolled By mid-May 2021, vaccination eligibility
<br /> hundreds of residents in the Town's Emergency Alert expanded to include individuals age 12 and older.
<br /> System, and issued routine, automated updates. Staff Effective May 29, 2021, all industries were permitted
<br /> scheduled dozens of appointments for residents who to re-open, sector-specific guidance was rescinded,
<br /> did not have computer access,and referred hundreds of capacity limits were increased to 100%. Mask
<br /> others to the appropriate scheduling sites. mandates were also lifted at that time, with the
<br /> exception of the remaining face-covering requirements
<br /> In March 2021, the Delta variant was first for medical facilities,public and private transportation
<br /> identified in the U.S. The FDA granted a EUA for the systems and facilities housing vulnerable populations.
<br /> single-dose Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, and it Health Agents worked closely with residents,
<br /> was offered to residents as a third option. Second-dose businesses, and Town officials to help facilitate a
<br /> clinics for Pfizer and Moderna were already underway, smooth and safe transition to the "new normal". The
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