Monday 1/25 COVID-19 Updates

Dear all,

I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources.

As of today, 4,132 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 113 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here. There have been 479,402 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 3,477 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 78,650 tests have been performed today, and 13,889 have passed away. Learn more here.

Baker Press Conference Updates

Governor Baker held a press conference today outlining several major updates to the Commonwealth's vaccination plan, including the following:

There will be 103 public vaccination sites open by the end of the week, with an online map and registration portal for eligible residents.
By mid-February, there will be 165 public vaccination stites open with the capacity to administer 305,000 doses per week (as long as federal supply keeps up).
Residents aged 75 or older will become eligible to receive the vaccine beginning February 1 (the start of Phase Two) and can sign up starting on Wednesday, January 27.
Residents aged 65 or older will be in the second group in Phase Two, becoming eligible sometime in February.

Vaccination Updates

Governor Baker announced last week that all residents in Phase One of the state vaccine distribution plan are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, effective immediately. This includes COVID-facing healthcare workers, long-term care facilities residents and staff, first responders, congregate care residents and staff, home-based healthcare workers, and non-COVID-facing healthcare workers.

Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report

The Department of Public Health’s Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report is updated each Thursday by 5 PM based on information available in the Massachusetts Immunization System. The report includes vaccine distribution numbers by county, as well as age and race/ethnicity breakdowns of those receiving vaccines. Information as of January 21, 2021:

Cumulative doses administered: 359,919
Cumulative Moderna doses shipped to MA: 384,100
Cumulative Pfizer doses shipped to MA: 207,675

You can view the DPH interactive data dashboard here.

Vaccination Timeline

Massachusetts is currently in Phase One of vaccine rollout. Residents in all Phase One groups can now make appointments to receive a vaccine at more than 150 locations across the state including first responder only sites, the newly opened mass vaccination site at Gillette Stadium, regional vaccination sites and participating CVS Health and Walgreens pharmacies. Additional mass vaccination sites, pharmacy sites, and community clinic sites will open in more locations on a rolling basis. A full map of vaccination sites with links for appointments can be found here.

As the state transitions into Phase Two in February, the first group will be individuals with 2+ comorbidities, individuals aged 75+, and residents and staff of public and private low-income and affordable senior housing. Following this population, workers in COVID-vulnerable sectors, such as teachers, sanitation and public health workers, and transit workers will be vaccinated. Phase Two will finish with vaccinating schedules for individuals 65+ and individuals with one comorbidity.

Phase Three will expand vaccination efforts to the general public.

For more details and updates on vaccination priorities, please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/when-can-i-get-the-covid-19-vaccine.

State Updates

The state has created an interactive dashboard, including the percentage of COVID-19 positive cases and testing rates by city and town. The dashboard can be viewed here.

The Mass Cultural Council has launched a second round of financial relief for individuals whose creative practices and incomes have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Grants of $1,500 are now available to Massachusetts individual artists and independent teaching artists/humanists/scientists. The application deadline is 2/2/21.

Governor Baker will deliver a virtual State of the Commonwealth address live from the State House tomorrow, January 26 at 7:00 PM.

Cambridge Updates

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.

Cambridge Library Services

Contactless Holds Pickup at at all library locations is suspended until at least February 1. Due dates will be extended until February 16 and no fines will be charged. The Library's virtual programs and services and digital collections continue to be available. For assistance, call 617-349-4040 or email library@cambridgema.gov.

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 - Christian Life Center located at 85 Bishop Allen Drive. 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday - CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11:00am - 7:00pm (Drive-through testing in garage. Enter on First St.)

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

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:

I also encourage you to donate to the following organizations that are engaging in racial justice work:

As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.

Sincerely,

Marjorie