Cape Cod COVID-19 Outbreak Pushed CDC To Issue New Mask Guidance

PROVINCETOWN, MA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its new guidance on face coverings after conducting a study of a Cape Cod coronavirus cluster that showed the new Delta variant spread easily among people who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The study, published Friday, examined 469 Massachusetts residents who were infected with COVID-19 during Provincetown's outbreak, following the 4th of July.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Friday the vaccine makes it less likely that you'll contract the coronavirus or get severely ill, but vaccinated people that get COVID-19 produce similar viral loads to unvaccinated people that come down with the delta variant.

"High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with delta can transmit the virus," Walensky said in a statement.

CDC researchers compared the viral loads of 127 fully vaccinated people from the outbreak and 84 others who were not vaccinated, partially vaccinated or whose vaccination status. The loads remained similar for both pools, Walensky said.

Walensky previewed the study's findings Tuesday when unveiling guidance that people in areas with "high" or "substantial" COVID-19 transmission should resume wearing masks indoors. In Massachusetts, two counties fit that designation. CDC officials deemed Barnstable County "high" risk and Bristol County "substantial risk."

As of Thursday, 882 cases have been linked to the Cape Cod cluster. Seven people have been hospitalized, but Barnstable County health officials reported no deaths. Seventy-three percent of people who tested positive were vaccinated.

The full CDC study of the Provincetown COVID-19 outbreak is available here.

Testing and Vaccines

Both the CDC and Provincetown town officials reminded the public that testing and vaccines are essential tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Town Manager Alex Morse also reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are effective, and symptoms are less severe for those who are fully vaccinated.

Outer Cape has administered 110 vaccinations since July 1st, and the Fallon van has administered 54 vaccinations since they began offering the vaccine on July 14th, Morse said.

Free testing is being offered at the Veterans Memorial Community Center parking lot at 2 Mayflower St. Testing is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., everyday through Friday, Aug. 6.

Vaccinations are also available at the community center Monday through Friday, through Aug. 6. The site offers the two-shot Pfizer vaccine and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vaccines are free and do not require an appointment or health insurance. Vaccines are also available at the Outer Cape medical facility in Provincetown.

Morse said Outer Cape has administered 110 vaccinations since July 1, and the mobile Fallon site has administered 54 vaccinations since July 14.

Town officials said they're also working with the county to distribute 1,200 BinaxNOW at-home COVID-19 testing kids. Officials said they'll be given to local businesses, residents and visitors.