Dear all,
I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources. This will be the last coronavirus update until Monday, January 4, 2021.
As of today, 3,194 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 108 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here. There have been 359,445 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 6,887 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 95,827 tests have been performed today, and 12,423 have passed away. Learn more here.
Baker Press Conference Updates
Governor Baker did not hold a press conference today.
State Action Updates
Massachusetts Hospitals Running Out of Beds, PPE
Following an expected holiday spike in COVID-19 cases across the state, Massachusetts hospitals are quickly running out of available beds in what physicians fear could be the deadliest phase of the virus yet. As of yesterday, non-ICU capacity in northeastern capacity was at 92%, and the numbers do not seem to be leveling off. Vaccines can provide some hope, but medical professionals expect to see elevated rate of the virus in the coming months. Read more here.
Officials Ask That Residents Stay Indoors, Not Hold Parties for New Year
Gov. Charlie Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders called on Bay Staters to follow public health precautions as they ring in the New Year. First Night celebrations have moved online and all officials urge that any gatherings be with people you live with, are small, and are outside if possible. Read more here.
Cambridge Updates
Tips for Celebrating a Happy and Safe Winter, click here.
Harvard University COVID-19 information, click here.
MIT COVID-19 information, click here.
Cambridge flu clinics are over, but you can still get a flu shot.
The Cambridge Public Health Department's annual public flu clinics ended on November 14, 2020. Please note that the Cambridge Public Health Department will not be able to offer any flu shot appointments at its office this year due to the pandemic.
Residents are encouraged to visit a local pharmacy or make an appointment with their health care provider. Flu shots are covered by most Massachusetts health insurance plans. Cambridge Health Alliance patients (12 - 22 years old) or Cambridge Public School students (12 - 22 years old) can now receive a flu shot at the Teen Health Center located in Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Call 617-665-1548 to schedule an appointment.
Contactless Holds Pickup Service hours at the O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge have been extended. The new schedule 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:
- Monday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Tuesday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Wednesday - 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church, 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday - CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am - 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)
- Friday - 50 Church St. 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Saturday - Pisani Center located at 131 Washington Street. 11:00am - 7:00pm
- Sunday - CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am - 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)
Beginning January 2, 2021, testing will take place at the Christian Life Center (owned and operated by St. Paul's AME), 85 Bishop Allen Drive, from 11 a.m. - 7p.m. The Pisani Center will no longer be a testing site.
Due to the Broad Institute (testing lab) holiday schedule, testing will not be available at City sites on January 1. (Testing will resume on Saturday, January 2)
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
Last Day of the Cambridge Challenge Against Hunger
Cambridge friends, one in eight of our neighbors is experiencing hunger and food insecurity, and while our food pantries are fighting to keep food on the table, they can't do it alone. This holiday season, give the gift of food security by supporting food access organizations and the Cambridge Challenge Against Hunger with a generous donation that helps over 15,000 of your neighbors, residents, and friends in Cambridge. With a gift of just $100, you can feed four families on Food For Free's Home Delivery program, and help bring a new meaning to the 'season of giving.' If you would like to donate, click here. For a full list of Cambridge organizations to donate to, click here.
Transition House in Need of Emergency Donations
Transition House's mission is to break the cycle of domestic violence in our community. In its first decades, Transition House created the first shelter on the East Coast, a legal services program for battered women, a foster grandparent program, and pioneered school-based teen dating violence intervention curricula and programs. Learn more here.
Today, Transition House provides vital housing options for individuals and families surviving domestic and intimate partner violence in Cambridge. With a 40% increase in emergency housing as a response to the pandemic, and rising expenses, Transition House needs support with their mission now more than ever. If you would like to donate, click here. If you would like to order from their wishlist, click here.
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
Hospitality Workers COVID-19 Emergency Fund
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