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COVID-19 Coronavirus Information
Eastham COVID Cases -August 22, 2022
| Confirmed Cases (PCR Test) | Probable Cases (Antigen Test) |
|---|---|
| 575 | 148 |
Please note: Rapid in-home test kits are not included in these case counts.
- Vaccine Site Information
- COVID TEsTING
- Free Test Kits
- Updated Home Testing Guidance
- Quarantine & Isolation Guidance
VACCINE SITE INFORMATION
The Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Vaccine Finder at vaxfinder.mass.gov will remain available. There are over 900 locations available with thousands of appointments in every region of Massachusetts. Users can also find information about no wait, walk-up appointments at select locations, accessibility information, and can plan for their appointment using the MBTA trip planner tool. Users can also filter by type of vaccine offered, to ensure that people under 18 or their parents can search for locations that only offer the Pfizer vaccine. Users can also call 211 to access the Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line for help booking an appointment.
For homebound vaccination, please find information here.
FREE PCR COVID-19 TESTING
Barnstable County is offering free PCR covid-19 testing at the Orleans DPW on Tuesdays from 9 - 11 am staffed by BCDHE and Medical Reserve Corp. Pre-registration is requested.
Register here: https://orleansdpwcovidtesting.timetap.com/#/
Cape Cod Hospital Community Testing
Call the Community Testing Line at 508-534-7103 to be scheduled for an appointment for drive-through testing on the campus of Cape Cod Hospital or Falmouth Hospital.
The PCR testing method utilized at this site can detect even the smallest quantities of viral particles. It is considered the gold-standard for accurately detecting active COVID-19 viral RNA (genetic material) in a collected specimen and is accepted by all governments and agencies. Test results are currently available within 24 hours.
For asymptomatic individuals seeking community testing to monitor their health, the out-of-pocket cost is $75. Accommodations will be made for those unable to pay, as no one seeking testing will be turned away. For individuals seeking community testing due to travel, the out-of-pocket cost is $110.
Cape Cod Hospital Campus
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7:30am – 11:00am
Falmouth Hospital Campus
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 7:30am – 10:30am
Outer Cape Health Services COVID-19 Testing
To receive a test, call Outer Cape Health Services at 508-905-2888. Please DO NOT come into any of our health centers.
Antigen tests are free via a Massachusetts Department of Public Health initiative providing OCHS with Abbott BinaxNOW™ rapid tests for COVID-19. Tests may be billed to individuals with insurance but not charged a co-pay; however, no one will be turned away. Insurances will be charged for the costs of administering your vaccination but not the actual vaccine which is free.
For individuals seeking a PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) molecular test, fees will apply for this test type. These tests samples will be processed by Quest Diagnostic Laboratories and billed directly to patient.
Outer Cape Health Services will also continue to provide symptomatic tests at all three sites and bill insurance. If an individual is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or has been referred to testing related to contact tracing, the individual should call OCHS first for a telehealth screening visit.
OCHS Harwich Port Health Center
Address: 710 Rt. 28
Hours: Tuesdays, 1:30 pm – 2:30pm
Wednesdays and Fridays 2:30pm – 3:30pm
OCHS Wellfleet Health Center
Address: 3130 Rt. 6
Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am – 11am
OCHS Provincetown Health Center
Address: 49 Harry Kemp Way
Hours: Mon, Weds, Fri, 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Barnstable County COVID testing page - most up to date information.
At Home COVID test kits are available for no cost through the federal government and your insurance carrier.
To order kits from the federal government, click here.
General information on insurance reimbursements, can be found here or contact your insurance provider.
Free Test kits are available at the Health Department while supplies last.
The FDA updated guidance on using at home test kits. The updated testing recommendations are:1
After you use an at-home COVID-19 antigen test:
- If you receive a positive result initially or after a repeat test, this means the test detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus and you most likely have COVID-19.
- Follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for people with COVID-19, including to stay home, isolate from others, and seek follow-up care with a health care provider to determine the next steps.
- If you receive a negative result,the test did not detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus at the time of that test.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
- If you get a negative result on the second test and you are concerned that you could have COVID-19, you may choose to test again 48 hours after the second test, consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test, or call your health care provider.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three tests.
- If you get a negative result on the second test, test again 48 hours after the second test.
- If you get a negative result on the third test and you are concerned that you could have COVID-19, you may choose to test again using an antigen test, consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test, or call your health care provider.
- If you get a positive result on any repeat test with an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, you most likely have COVID-19 and should follow the CDC guidance for people with COVID-19
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, for a total of at least two tests.
The CDC updated guidance on August 11, 2022. Please see below for the updated guidance.
Updated Guidance on Quarantining and Isolation1
On August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated isolation and quarantine guidelines. The guidelines are as follows:
After Being Exposed to COVID-19
Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed
Start counting from Day 1
- Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19
- Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure
Wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) any time you are around others inside your home or indoors in public 1
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
- fever (100.4°F or greater)
- cough
- shortness of breath
- other COVID-19 symptoms
If you develop symptoms
- isolate immediately
- get tested
- stay home until you know the result
If your test result is positive, follow the isolation recommendations.
Test even if you don’t develop symptoms.
If you already had COVID-19 within the past 90 days, see specific testing recommendations.
Continue taking precautions through day 10
- Wear a high-quality mask when around others at home and indoors in public
You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed.
*About negative test results
When to Isolate
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
You can end your isolation
Follow the full isolation recommendations below
When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:
If you had no symptoms
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset
If you had symptoms
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
- Do not travel.
- Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were.
If you had no symptoms
You may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms
You may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
- Your symptoms are improving
If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.
If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11. Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public and not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking (see below), including public transportation and travel settings.
Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.
After you have ended isolation, when you are feeling better (no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms improving),
- Wear your mask through day 10.
OR
- If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
Note: If your antigen test results1 are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.
After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our communities.
1 All info taken from : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/if-you-were-exposed.html; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html