 New cases of Covid-19 in Lincoln since Dec. 3, 2020. (Source: Lincoln Health Department) |
 New cases of Covid-19 in Massachusetts since the beginning of the pandemic. The dark vertical lines in this graph and the next one mark Dec. 3, 2020, where the Lincoln graph data begins. (Source: New York Times) |
 New Covid-19 hospitalizations in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic. (Source: New York Times) |
After eight weeks of recording no new cases of Covid-19, Lincoln saw a sudden spike of 10 for the week of July 29 to August 5.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there have only been six weeks during which Lincoln recorded at least 10 new infections. The town’s total is now 211 cases, including seven deaths (all of them at The Commons in Lincoln).
The ages of the newly diagnosed residents range from 18 to 84, with five in their 20s, Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean said. Seven out of the 10 cases are people who were fully vaccinated. They all had mild symptoms or were asymptomatic; most were tested either because of a recent exposure or symptoms.
“Lincoln is not unique and the surrounding towns are experiencing this spike in cases as well,” she said.
As of August 10, Middlesex County had a daily average of 189 cases (12 per 100,000 people), a 14-day increase of just over 100%, according to data compiled by the New York Times. The number of Massachusetts cases has been rising since mid-July, as have hospitalizations, though the latter has not been rising as sharply as the number of cases. This is presumably because, as in Lincoln, many of the infected people were vaccinated but were “breakthrough” cases with mild or no symptoms and do not require hospitalization.
Sixty-four percent of Massachusetts residents were fully vaccinated, including 75% of those age 18 and up, and 87% of those 65 and up.
(Click any graph at right below to see a larger version)