As of today, there are 866 Cambridge residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 73 residents have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj. There are 82,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 18,381 in Middlesex County. 424,361 tests have been performed and 5,482 patients have passed away. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3dQhBEL.
Cambridge Updates
Applications for the Cambridge Small Business COVID-19 recovery grant are now open. The deadline to apply is June 12th. You can learn more about eligibility and apply for a grant here: https://bit.ly/3cAFVKZ.
The City has reached out to more than 7,000 senior residents in its senior phone outreach initiative. You can learn more about this initiative and resources available for seniors through the City here: https://bit.ly/3bA2qOw.
Multilingual resources are always available on the City of Cambridge's website. This includes translated information on city resources and about COVID-19. You can find them here: https://bit.ly/2wKXAzA.
State Action Updates
Today, Governor Baker announced that the Administration will be submitting its plan to expand testing to the federal government this month, which is required to secure COVID-19 testing resources allocated in legislation passed by Congress on April 24. This plan will call for:
- Increased testing capacity to 45,000 daily tests by the end of July, and 75,000 daily tests by the end of December, with the goal of decreasing positivity rate to less than 5%
- Expanded lab testing capacity
- Expanded testing for residents and patients in high-risk congregate settings and ensured testing for those who are symptomatic, close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases or whose employment places them at a high risk
- Randomized testing for surveillance purposes to build on contact tracing efforts
- Improved testing turnaround time.
There will be an expansion of self-swab and send testing sites at 10 CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in the state. Those who meet testing criteria will be able to schedule an appointment on CVS.com starting tomorrow.
Over 7.5 million pieces of PPE and supplies will be delivered to front-line workers in the state.
Learn more about these updates here: https://bit.ly/2T8T85X.
Public Health Update
Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Dr. Monica Bharel alerted health care providers today to be on the lookout for patients with pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome, which may be linked to COVID-19, and to report any cases they find immediately. Nine children in Massachusetts hospitals are currently suspected to have PMIS. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2AvF5Rt.
Where to give
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:
Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund: https://bit.ly/3bgTBJU
Cambridge Health Alliance: https://bit.ly/2vWegUB
Cambridge Community Foundation: https://bit.ly/33ImGeE
Food for Free: https://bit.ly/3afFuEE
Greater Boston Food Bank: https://www.gbfb.org/
Cradles to Crayons Emergency Essentials Fund: https://bit.ly/2WHOD4V
Enroot Emergency Immigrant Cash Assistance Fund: https://bit.ly/2y7bBIe
The One Chelsea Fund: https://bit.ly/2W6dGO7
As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie