Covid Task Force update, Dec 23rd
An update from the Yarmouth Community COVID-19 Task Force. Please share any and all information here, especially about COVID Testing.
Drive-thru rapid Covid testing in Yarmouth continues on Mondays 8–10AM
…NOW THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY 2022
There will be rapid COVID Testing in Yarmouth next Monday Dec 27th.
We encourage people to come in for a test. A week of holiday travel and mixing, and no in-school testing, means next Monday’s testing clinic is especially important. We provide results within an hour or two if needed, or by the end of the day if there is less of a hurry.
It's drive-thru, so you don't even have to get out of your car.
PLEASE FILL IN THE PAPERWORK BEFOREHAND to speed up the process. You can download it and print it at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ieskJh90Fi_gn9rSYdeWY-2opcYduXl6/export?format=pdf
Call us on 603-252-5921 if you need transportation or to be tested at home.
Rapid COVID Testing will continue in January 2022
Based on demand, we plan to schedule 5 additional testing dates for January:
- Monday, January 3, 2022
- Monday, January 10, 2022
- Tuesday, January 18, 2022 (MLK observed 1/17/22)
- Monday, January 24, 2022
- Monday, January 31, 2022
We are always looking for more volunteers. You don't need to commit to every week - one or two shifts would be super helpful.
Update on the Dec 19th Vaccination Clinic
The clinic went very well. Initial lines subsided fairly quickly, and everyone who needed a shot got one, including all the walk-ins. HUGE thanks to Community Pharmacies.
We don't yet have have official numbers but we gave out just under 400 Covid shots and around 80 flu shots.
Building a cultural & language group to support Yarmouth home test team
Our Yarmouth COVID testing squad is seeking volunteers with French, Arabic, or Spanish cultural/language skills who could form a group that the home testing team could call on when they are testing families for which English is a second language. The main languages needed are French, Arabic, and Spanish. There may be other languages that we're not aware of yet.
Volunteers would work closely with testers to set up appointments and let families know what to expect, accompany the testers to the door (note: all testing is done outside), and be involved in follow-up communication of results.
At this time, we probably require such services once or twice a month, but that could increase this winter. We will provide training.
Please let Dale Shields know if you are interested in helping out: shields.dale1@gmail.com
Testing resources
A few updates.
The i-health home test can be purchased online at https://wyze.com/covid19-test-kit.html and was showing availability last time we checked.
Do you have Anthem BCBS health insurance? Using the Sydney App you can order one at-home COVID test kit for each person on your plan at no cost.
The Yarmouth Covid Task Force runs tests Mondays 8-10am at the Dept of Public Works on North Road.
Get a booster… but where?
Central Maine Healthcare is running a vaccination clinic at the Auburn Mall, and people are reporting it to have short lines (or none) and to be run very efficiently.
Their schedule for next week is:
Tues Dec 28: 8am-5pm (ages 12 and older) and Pedi appt only 2-6pm
Wed Dec 29: 8am-5pm (ages 12 and older) and Pedi appt only 2-6pm
After Dec 30:
Open Tues-Fri, 8am to 5pm.
More info about their schedule here, or make an appointment: https://www.cmhc.org/get-covid-vaccine/
The CDC/National Guard are running a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Augusta Armory, 179 Western Avenue through the end of December 2021. The hours vary by week - check the latest by going to https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites, and searching for 'augusta armory' or call 207-816-1259.
Go to https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines/vaccination-sites and look for other options in your area.
Wastewater testing results
The virus level in the latest wastewater sample (Dec 13-14) is the highest we have seen since wastewater testing began in September 2020. This is also the longest stretch of high levels we have seen since we started testing – including Jan 2021 when we were in the middle of a surge. We’ve now been seeing very high adjusted virus levels for seven weeks in a row.
Thank you all and happy holidays!
Yarmouth Community Covid Task Force