Drive-thru testing sites are opening at CVS locations in Northampton and West Springfield, which will offer self-swab testing for those who meet testing criteria at no cost. Tests must be arranged ahead of time, starting May 15.
“The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that it is preparing to distribute up to $502 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to local cities and towns for eligible costs related to the COVID-19 response effort. These funds must be utilized by municipalities consistent with parameters established by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES” Act) and guidance from the US Treasury Department.”
Full guidance for municipalities regarding the Baker-Polito Administration’s approach to distributing Coronavirus Relief Funds: https://www.mass.gov/doc/anf-guidance-to-municipalities-on-federal-coronavirus-relief-fund/download
Peter Pan buses will resume operating on June 5 with new ticket-less boarding protocols and cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Massachusetts now is releasing a comprehensive “dashboard” to illustrate the spread of this virus across regions and demographics. You can view today’s here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-may-14-2020/download
Testing has a turnaround time of 1 – 4 days and many cases are being clinically diagnosed (no testing or reporting involved). All are advised to behave as though they are carriers of Covid-19.
732 Holyoke residents have been confirmed positive by testing.
4,974 confirmed cases in Hampden County (2% increase)
724 in Hampshire (2% increase)
302 in Franklin (<1% increase)
488 in Berkshire county (<1% increase)
The curve we need to flatten: County numbers graphed over time can be found here: https://www.wmasscovid.com/
Massachusetts has now experienced a total of 5,482 deaths connected to Covid-19
Please be advised that you may be contacted by Public Health officials as part of the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has tested positive, you may receive a call from your local Board of Health or from the MA Department of Public Health. The call will only take a few minutes and is a necessary step to limit the spread of the virus. Your information will not be shared with any other agencies and these officials will never ask for your social security number or health insurance information. If you have any questions about a call you received, contact us at coronaresponse@holyoke.org