As of today, there are 1,269 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 99 residents have passed away. Learn more here. There are 115,741 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. 1,535,862 patients have been tested, and 8,670 have passed away. Learn more here.
Cambridge Updates
Where to get tested:
The Cambridge Public Health Department has expanded August dates and locations for free mobile testing for Cambridge residents:
- Field House at Russell Field (Rindge Ave) will offer testing Wednesday 8/19 and Wednesday 8/26 from 10AM - 8PM
- The Pisani Center (131 Washington St) will offer testing on Saturday, 8/22 and Saturday, 8/29 from 11AM - 7PM
- King Open School (850 Cambridge Street), will offer testing on Monday, August 24; Tuesday, August 25; Thursday, August 26; and Friday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call 617-665-3795 or sign-up online. If you are feeling symptomatic and feel the need to get tested sooner, you can call your primary care provider to make an appointment to be tested.
Translation Resources Available: Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City’s multilingual help page.
Information About Voting in Upcoming Elections
The Massachusetts Primary is quickly approaching on September 1st. Eligible Massachusetts residents must be registered to vote by August 26th to participate in the primary. Register online here. Find ore information about early and in-person voting in Cambridge here.
If you have requested a ballot and have not yet received it, you can track its status here.
Hand Deliver Your Ballot
You can hand deliver your early/absentee ballot to the Election Commission Ballot Drop Box located at 51 Inman Street from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. During the in-person early voting period (8/22-8/28) you can drop your ballot at any of the designated locations during voting hours (see below).
In-person Early Voting August 22 - August 28
If you wish to vote in-person in the State Primary, early voting will take place August 22 - August 28 at three locations in Cambridge: Moses Youth Center, Cambridge Water Department, and the Valente Library. Learn more here.
New Polling Sites for In-Person Voting on Primary Day (9/1) and Election Day (11/3)
In response to COVID-19, the Cambridge Election Commission has relocated 14 polling sites. If a voter's polling site has been relocated, the new polling location will be in the same ward and precinct or near their regular polling place. There will be signs posted at the regular polling sites directing voters to the temporary polling sites as well. You can find a polling place map and a polling place PDF on the City's website.
Cambridge Public Schools' Updated Timeline for the Start of School:
August 22: Fall Enrollment Forms due
September 16: All students will begin the year with remote learning (at home)
October 13: In-person learning will begin, for eligible families that choose it
You can share your questions to cps@cpsd.us and learn more at the CPS Back-to-School planning page.
Watch for information from your school’s principal about school information sessions in the coming weeks.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday 8/22: The City of Cambridge is sponsoring a free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, August 22nd, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 65 Waverly St., Cambridge. This event is free and open to Cambridge residents (proof of residency required). Please review the procedures and precautions that will be in effect for this event as part of the COVID-19 operations. These changes can be found here.
Bluebikes: The City of Cambridge continues to offer free 90-day Bluebikes passes to essential workers employed at grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and local retail shops. Those with passes can take as many trips as they would like during the 90-day period. Register here.
State Action Updates
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
Please Note: Seasonal Closure of Community Pools and Spray Decks
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced it will extend the season for agency-managed spray decks through Sunday, September 27th. Please note that DCR-managed deep-water and wading pools will close for the season at the end of the day on Sunday, August 23rd. These include pools at Magazine Beach and Danahey Park.
No COVID-19 Data Report on Sunday, 8/23
Due to a planned data system upgrade this weekend, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will not publish a COVID-19 data report on Sunday, 8/23. Posting will resume Monday 8/24 when all information from the weekend will be included.
New Flu Vaccine Requirements
The state now requires the influenza (flu) immunization for all children 6 months of age or older who will attend Massachusetts child care, pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, middle and high schools, as well as college and university students under 30 years of age and all students enrolled in health-related programs. The new vaccine requirement is an important step to reduce flu-related illness and the overall impact of respiratory illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will be expected to have received a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020 for the 2020-2021 influenza season, unless either a medical or religious exemption is provided. Also exempted are K-12 students who are homeschooled and higher education students who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only. The updated table of immunization requirements for the upcoming school year can be found here.
Where to Give
On Fridays throughout August, Cambridge CoHousing will be collecting food for the Chelsea Collaborative. Drop off is between 10 AM to 4PM 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
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance 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.