Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, 1644 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 100 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here. There have been 162,736 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 2,038 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 86,357 patients have been tested today, and 10,106 have passed away. Learn more here.
State Action Updates
Second COVID wave continues as Massachusetts reports 1,761 new cases, 23 deaths on Thursday; city, town data delayed one day
State health officials confirmed another 1,761 coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the statewide tally to 160,698. That’s based on 86,359 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. There are 498 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, including 115 patients in intensive care. The seven-day average of positive tests stands at 1.91%. Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced a number of steps to help curb the spread of COVID-19, including issuing another stay-at-home advisory, instituting a new curfew for businesses and residents and tightening up restrictions around mask-wearing and limited gathering sizes inside and outside of residences. The stay-at-home advisory that will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. This means all residents are encouraged to stay in their homes from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day. Restaurants are ordered to stop table service at 9:30 p.m. to ensure customers can get home in time, but can resume orders for takeout. Read more here.
Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Charlie Baker announced Friday that the state will begin using a new method to assess coronavirus transmission rates in communities. The change is aimed at keeping students in schools. Specifically, the transmission rates will now be adjusted to better fit a community’s population. Under the new methodology, this week’s color-coded data shows 16 red communities, 91 yellow communities, 79 green communities, and 165 grey communities based on this week’s data. The new metric will also be used to what reopening phase a community is in, said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. There are about 450,000 public school students in the state. This week school districts reported 154 cases among students and 98 among staff members. Watch the announcement here.
Cambridge Updates
Cambridge Public Health Dept. announces 29 new COVID-19 cases and advises residents to wear face coverings in public, at home(s) when you have guests, or are a guest.
Cambridge flu clinics are now open. The Cambridge Public Health Department is ramping up its efforts to vaccinate more residents than in previous years, with the goal of administering 10,000 flu shots this season. The flu vaccine is being donated by Cambridge Health Alliance. Cambridge residents can get a free flu shot at the health department's public clinics. The first four clinics will be held indoors on Oct. 15, Oct. 21 (two clinics), and Oct. 22 at the King Open School, 850 Cambridge Street in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood. Outdoor clinics will be held on Oct. 28-29 at Starlight Square (the parking lot at the corner of Norfolk St. and Bishop Allen Dr. in Central Square) and at Danehy Park/Fresh Pond Plaza on Nov. 14. Flu shot appointments are required this year. To schedule an appointment online, go to https://cphd-flu-2020.as.me. The City's Flu Clinic Call Center at 617-349-9788 will open next week for those who wish to make appointments by phone. You can learn more about the clinics here.
Contactless Holds Pickup Service hours at the O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge have been extended. The new schedule, which will go into effect on Wednesday, October 7, is as follows:
Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Fridays, 11:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
Where to Get Tested
Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are now available at the following locations:
- CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am – 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.) Sundays and Thursdays
- 50 Church St. 12:00pm – 8:00pm (beginning November 9th) Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays
- 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church, 10:00am – 6:00pm Wednesdays
- Pisani Center located at 131 Washington Street. 11:00am – 7:00pm Saturdays
You can schedule an appointment online or by calling 617-665-3795.
Translation Resources Available
Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.
Where to Give
On Fridays, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Food Collaborative. Drop off is between 9 AM to 3:30 PM at 175 Richdale Ave, the entrance to CoHousing, either in a paper bag or small box. If you don't see someone at the moment you come, please leave it just inside the gate where we will have boxes marked "For Chelsea."
If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to the following places that are working to help those most affected by COVID-19:
Cambridge Community Foundation
Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund
I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work:
Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
Families for Justice as Healing
Union of Minority Neighborhoods
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie