Friday, December 2 COVID-19 & Legislative Updates

Dear all,

I write to you this evening with relevant COVID-19 updates and resources as well as recent legislative news. 

I hope that you and your families will join me for my Second Annual Winter Gathering at Raymond Park (106 Raymond Street) tomorrow, December 3rd, from 10AM to 12PM. While it might start to rain, we will be there with coffee, hot chocolate, doughnuts, and cookies for decorating. Please consider bringing a box of diapers that will be donated to the Cambridge Community Center. I look forward to seeing you there.

 

Table of Contents

  • State Updates
  • National Updates
  • COVID-19 Testing Information
  • MA Vaccination Updates
  • DPH Resources on COVID-19
  • This Week’s Case Count
  • Mental Health Services and Resources
  • Where to Give

 

State Updates:

COVID-19 Wastewater Levels Increasing

Wastewater data show that the 7-day average of COVID-19 levels for the southern region of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is up 88 percent since mid-November, while the areas north of Boston have seen a 94 percent jump in the last two weeks. In addition, the latest COVID-19 data from the Department of Public Health show increases in percent positivity, hospitalizations, and the numbers of intubated patients and patients in intensive care units. Learn more: bit.ly/3Uunr3L.

MA Offers $75 Gift Cards at Vaccine Clinics through Dec. 31

A $75 gift card will be offered to Massachusetts residents (adults or children) who get vaccinated (first dose, second dose, or booster) at any of the special clinics through December 31, 2022, while supplies last. The $75 gift cards are to local retailers such as grocery stores and big box stores that are located in the community where the clinic is being held. Gift cards will be offered at participating clinics, while supplies last. To find the list of clinics, please visit https://bit.ly/3iuwCnu

 

National Updates:

FDA Pauses Authorization for Last COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday that the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment bebtelovimab from Eli Lilly is no longer authorized for emergency use in the U.S. as it is not expected to be effective at neutralizing the two most dominant Omicron subvariants in the country right now. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3VJPE7B

 

COVID-19 Testing Information

Cambridge Appointment-Only Testing

Appointment-only testing, provided through a partnership with CIC Health, is available 7 days per week to people who live or work in Cambridge. Testing at CIC Health’s 295 Third Street location is available during the following hours:

  • Monday - Friday, from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
  • Saturday & Sunday, from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Appointments can be booked online at cic-health.com/cambridge, or assistance is available from CIC’s Customer Service Team at support@cic-health.com or by calling 877-280-2937.

State COVID-19 Testing

Please visit mass.gov/GetTested

Home PCR Tests for Adults 

Please visit t.ly/vL4j for details and to request a test kit.

 

MA Vaccination Updates

Vaccines and Boosters for Children

As a reminder, everyone ages 6 months or older is eligible to be vaccinated and everyone ages 5 years or older is eligible to be boosted. Children who have received a two-dose primary series of any vaccine and those who have received boosters are eligible to get the updated bivalent booster as long as two months have passed since their last dose. 

  • Pediatricians’ Offices: Call your child’s doctor or nurse to determine vaccine availability.
  • To see all Massachusetts vaccine locations and make appointments, go to vaxfinder.mass.gov or VaxAbilities.com for children with sensory and/or other accommodation needs.

Cambridge Vaccination Data

Residents who have received at least 1 dose: 115,262

Fully Vaccinated Residents: 91,426

Residents with 1 Booster: 61,767

Residents with 2 Boosters: 26,612

Weekly DPH COVID-19 Vaccination Report

Total doses administered: 17,028,628

Total first booster doses administered: 3,407,600 

Total second booster doses administered: 1,381,668

 

DPH Resources on COVID-19

COVID-19 FAQs: https://bit.ly/3aLrW99

 

This Week’s COVID-19 Case Count 

Please note that these are only the reported cases. The actual case counts are underreported due to people using rapid tests at home. 

Massachusetts

Total Cases: 1,934,804

New Cases: 5,086

Total Deaths: 20,896

New PCR Tests: 81,598

Cambridge

Total Cases: 33,983

New Cases: 15

Total Deaths: 177

State interactive data dashboard: bit.ly/3Pe3hJk

Harvard COVID dashboard: bit.ly/3z8sa3C.

 

Mental Health Services and Resources

If you or a loved one are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There are some great resources here: decker4rep.com/2021/mental-health-services-and-resources/.

Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline

This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their intimate partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.

 

Where to Give

Thanks to everyone who has generously contributed to many organizations serving vulnerable people locally, nationally, and globally. If you are able to donate, please visit https://bit.ly/3fyEWkw for places serving those most affected by COVID-19 and https://bit.ly/3SMFeCU for 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

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