Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.
As of today, 1626 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 160,698 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 1,761 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 86,359 patients have been tested today, and 10,085 have passed away. Learn more here.
State Action Updates
Massachusetts reports 1,629 new COVID cases and more than 100K tests in one day; 27 more deaths announced Wednesday
State health officials confirmed another 1,629 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 158,937. There are currently 17,455 active cases of the virus across the state. Officials also announced another 27 COVID-related deaths, for a total now of 9,836 since the pandemic began. There are currently 502 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 109 patients in intensive care. Read more here.
Mounting clusters in youth sports, pandemic fatigue complicate fight against coronavirus in Mass.
Growing clusters of coronavirus infections in youth sports, coupled with pandemic fatigue, are complicating the battle to control new COVID-19 cases across Massachusetts, health department directors say. They say the hurdles, coming as the number of cases soar across the state, are making their job of tracking down close contacts of infected residents exponentially more complex than earlier in the pandemic. That’s reflected in recent state data indicating that the source of infections in about half of new COVID-19 cases is a mystery — a troubling trend because without knowing how and where people are getting infected, it’s difficult to prevent further infections. The state’s data on recent COVID-19 clusters indicate more new infections are linked to youth sports than many other activities and areas, including child care, places of worship, restaurants and food courts. On Monday, he said he would have a “lot more" to say about sports-related infections this week. Local health directors are worried. And they’ve been imploring the Baker administration for several weeks to tighten rules on youth sports, particularly basketball, as they see team infections mount. Read more here.
Governor Baker Press Conference Updates:
Governor Baker did not hold a COVID-19 related press conference today.
Cambridge Updates
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