Monday 2/8 COVID-19 Updates

Dear all,

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

Today’s Case Count

As of today, there have been 517,806 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and there are 1,276 newly reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state today. 42,946 tests have been performed today, and 14,753 have passed away. Learn more here. As of today, 4,476 Cambridge residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 117 residents have passed away, according to the state's database. Learn more here.

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.

Baker Press Conference Updates

Governor Baker announced today that the COVID-19 vaccine resource call center that was launched last week has been very successful so far. The Governor also said that his administration has been in touch with Olivia Adams, the Arlington web developer who built a user-friendly website for COVID-19 vaccine appointments, about potential improvements to the state website.

Vaccination Updates

Individuals age 75 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination as of February 1st and can make appointments at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine or at maimmunizations.org. For detailed information about how to make an appointment, including updates about specific health care providers, see the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services vaccine resources page.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is also offering free transportation for local older adults to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Cambridge and Somerville as well as Fenway Park and CHA Malden. If you are age 75 and up, from Cambridge or Somerville, and you need a ride to your vaccination site, please contact SCES. For more information, click here. To register for a ride, call SCES at 617-628-2601 or email info@eldercare.org.

The City of Cambridge has published accessibility information for the state’s mass vaccination sites. You can find it here.

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 February 4, 2021:

Cumulative doses administered: 681,472
Cumulative Moderna doses shipped to MA: 619.400
Cumulative Pfizer doses shipped to MA: 276,900

Vaccination Timeline

Massachusetts is currently at the beginning of Phase Two of vaccine rollout: the first priority group, individuals aged 75 years or older. There are currently 125 vaccination sites in Massachusetts and it is expected that this will ramp up to 165 sites by mid-February. The map of vaccination sites is here; you can now search by zip code as well.

As the state transitions into Phase Two, the priority groups are:

Individuals 75 or older
Individuals 65 or older or with two or more comorbidities and/or residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing
Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation and public health workers
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/covid-19-vaccine.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has a Frequently Asked Questions site that is continually updated as they receive new questions. Access the FAQs here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions. Questions can be submitted to COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov.

COVID Testing Sites

Testing appointments through the City's free mobile-testing program are 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.

State Updates

I’m thankful to Speaker Mariano for his ongoing leadership communicating with Governor Baker and the administration that the vaccine rollout is not equitable and needs to be improved quickly. Just today, he said Massachusetts must use state and federal funds to address and meet the following needs.

Mobile Vaccination sites
Transportation for eligible participants to vaccination sites
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities in booking and receiving vaccines
An improved website with a simplified process to book available vaccine appointments
Regional access to vaccination sites across the Commonwealth
Specific focus on vaccine equity issues to improve access in our hardest hit communities and Gateway Cities
Assistance to local boards of health to coordinate response

Speaker Mariano is also pushing for extended 211 hours and weekend service, a greatly needed service. Read more here.

Vaccination Appointment Call Center Launched

A call center to assist with booking vaccination appointments launched on Friday. The call center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. People aged 75 or older, who are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, can reach the call center by calling 211. It is available in English, Spanish, and translation services are available for 100-plus languages. Read more here.

Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration approved $200 million in FEMA funds for the Commonwealth to dedicate to store, handle, transport, distribute, and administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Baker Administration must address the needs of the moment and increase the vaccination distribution in the state.

The state has published a website of COVID-related federal grants at mass.gov/federalfunds. This page provides detailed information about federal funds provided to the Commonwealth and to municipalities, including the purpose, amount received, and amount spent.

Youth Employment Opportunity

The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has announced the FY2022 Healthy Summer Youth Jobs Grant Program. Applicants may apply for grants to fund jobs for youth with core health and wellness components while also providing opportunities for professional enrichment. The deadline for applications is March 5. To learn more about this opportunity, click here.

Cambridge Updates

Harvard University COVID-19 information, click here.

MIT COVID-19 information, click here.

The City of Cambridge has increased indoor capacity limits from 25% to 40%, effective today. Indoor gatherings are still limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 people. Learn more here.

Donate Wool Socks

The Office of Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui is partnering with the Vice-Mayor Alanna Mallon, Cambridge City Council, CASPAR & Bay Cove, Cambridge Police Department, and CambridgeSide to collect and donate 2,500 wool socks to homeless residents for its 4th Annual “Warm Hearts, Warm Feet Sock Drive.” From February 1, 2021 through February 14, 2021, this year’s sock drive aims to collect the largest amount of donations in this annual sock drive’s history. For more information, click here or contact Adelina Atamer, Outreach Manager, at aatamer@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Library Services

Contactless holds pickup resumed today at Central Square Branch and Valente Branch. It will resume tomorrow, February 9 at the Main Library and Wednesday, February 10 at O'Neill Branch. The winter schedule includes a dedicated hour for seniors and at-risk individuals at the start of each service day at the Main Library. Details are available on the library website at www.cambridgema.gov/cpl. For assistance, call 617-349-4040 or email library@cambridgema.gov.

Translation Resources Available

Multilingual city resources and information on COVID-19 are available on the City's multilingual help page.

February Vacation Activities

The Center for Families is providing a week of fun and free virtual activities for February vacation week, 2/15-2/20. Registration is required. For more information, go to https://letstalkcambridge.org/february-family-fun-week/. To register, call 617-349-6385 or email centerforfamilies@cambridgema.gov.

Daily Table

The Daily Table is a nonprofit community grocer dedicated to providing fresh, tasty, convenient, and nutritious food to communities most in need at prices everyone can afford. The grocer offers 50% off fresh produce for SNAP recipients. Daily Table opened its third location in Central Square, 684 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139. Please spread the word for those who could benefit from this amazing new resource. For more information, click here.

Where to Give

Transition House in Need of Emergency Donations

Make a donation
Order from their wishlist

If you are able to give to others during this time, I encourage you to look to additional 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