Despite cases lowering in all three towns for the first time since October, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester all remained designated as high-risk in the state’s Christmas Eve covid data.

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, cases were in the teens in Rochester and Mattapoisett. But after Thanksgiving, cases shot up to peaks of 56 in Rochester and 49 in Mattapoisett. In Marion, cases have remained in the 30s and 40s since Thanksgiving, initially due to an outbreak at Sippican Healthcare Center. That outbreak has since subsided and given way to community spread, which has kept the town in the red for seven consecutive weeks. 

In anticipation of similar spikes following the Christmas and New Years holidays, officials in Marion and Mattapoisett shared Governor Charlie Baker’s most recent guidance, and advised against travel.

Last week, cases in Marion lowered from 43 to 26, Rochester lowered from 56 to 50, and Mattapoisett cases decreased from 49 to 47. 

One new death was reported at Sippican Healthcare, bringing the total to 18 at the long-term care facility.

But help could be on the way. In an interview with Sippican Week, Town Administrator Jay McGrail said the state gave notice that the vaccine may arrive in Marion in late winter to early spring, but added that plans are still up in the air and it could arrive at a different time. 

At Sippican Healthcare Center, Chief Compliance Officer Kathy Soderberg of Whittier Health, the facility’s parent company, said vaccines are expected to arrive and be given out near the end of January. 

Cases climbed to 70 in the Old Rochester Regional School District after Christmas, with cases reported at ORRHS, the Junior High and Center School this week. 

As of the district’s most recent covid data on Christmas Eve, 55 students, faculty and staff are in quarantine and 17 more are in isolation. 

Marion and Mattapoisett officials both sent out alerts reminding residents of Governor Charlie Baker’s most recent restrictions, which have tightened gathering restrictions ahead of the Christmas and New Years holidays. 

In accordance with the restrictions, all businesses must operate at 25% capacity. Employees and staff at restaurants, personal services, places of worship and retail businesses do not count toward the overall occupancy limit.

The temporary restrictions have been implemented in anticipation of accelerated spread following the holiday season.

The restrictions will last until at least Jan. 10. 

Officials at all levels of government, from Boards of Selectmen to the Center for Disease Control, have advised against travel this holiday season.