STOP THE SPREAD TESTING HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH JUNE 30th
WALK UP COVID-19 Testing Site in Holyoke.
The walk-up COVID testing site is at the War Memorial, located at 310 Appleton Street. The lot at 323 Appleton Street may still be used as parking for the test site. Hours of operation will not change at this time.
Testing will take place at the front doors to the War Memorial.
Members of the public seeking a test will not be allowed to enter the building during testing hours.
The line should start at the front door and wrap around on the Maple Street side of the building, if necessary.
Testing hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2pm to 6pm. Testing will run until 6/30/21.
DRIVE UP COVID-19 Testing Site in Holyoke
A Stop the Spread test has opened at Holyoke Community College. Testing will run until 6/30/21.
The testing take place at HCC in Lot H.
The test site will still be drive-through.
– The site will operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 7am – 11am. Tuesday and Thursday 2pm -7pm.
– Turnaround time for results is typically 4 days or fewer.
– This test site is first come, first serve. There are no appointments. Please do not call the Health Department or Holyoke Community College to make an appointment.
– The test site at Holyoke Community College is a drive-through only test site. Please do not get out of your vehicle. Signage and Campus Police will be readily apparent to help you access the site easily.
– To help speed up the process, please have your information ready. They will ask for your full name, address (you must be a Massachusetts resident), phone number and email address.
– There is no cost for the testing. You do not need a referral, nor do you need to be symptomatic.
– The test style will be the less invasive swab in the lower nostril. The older style that required further insertion of the swab will not be used.
– If you have previously tested positive, DPH and CDC guidelines do not recommend getting retested at this time.
– If you are acutely symptomatic, particularly if you have a high fever, consider scheduling a test with your Primary Care Physician.
– Information on all of the Stop the Spread test sites across the State can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread
Baker Lifts Outdoor Mask Mandate, Announces Timeline to Relax Business Restrictions
The governor is scheduled to hold a press conference at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, after President Joe Biden’s anticipated update on federal mask-wearing guidelines
By Diane Cho and Mary Markos
Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker announces an update on the outdoor mask mandate and new business reopening guidelines.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday his administration is lifting the state’s outdoor mask mandate effective Friday and relaxing other COVID-related business restrictions beginning May 10.
In a press release, the Baker administration said starting Friday, masks will no longer be required outdoors as long as you can maintain social distancing.
Starting on May 10, amusement parks and water parks will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity. Then on May 29, gathering limits will go up to 200 people indoors and 250 outdoors. Wineries and bars can also reopen without having to serve food, but customers have to be seated and spaced out six feet apart.
By Aug. 1, all other businesses will be allowed to reopen without capacity limitations.
Baker is expected to address the changes during a press conference at 1:45 p.m. The event follows a scheduled meeting with the White House Task Force on COVID-19 and an anticipated update on federal mask-wearing guidelines. Read the full story here: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/baker-to-give-covid-reopening-update-amid-anticipated-changes-to-mask-guidance/2365234/
As of Monday, April 26nd, there were a total of 5517 confirmed cases in Holyoke.
Weekly Public Health Report (Updated Wednesday) Contains town-by-town numbers, long-term care facility information, and more: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-weekly-public-health-report-
Massachusetts comprehensive daily “dashboard” illustrating the spread of this virus across regions and demographics: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-daily-dashboard-
Testing has a turnaround time of 1-5 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.
The curve we need to flatten: County numbers graphed over time can be found here: https://www.wmasscovid.com/
As of yesterday there were 29,601 estimated active cases in MA with 812 new cases. There were 12 new deaths. The average age of cases that were hospitalized is 61 years old. The age range trends show the age range groups with the highest number of current positive cases. Current trends for the 3 highest cases by age are 0 -19 year olds followed by 20-29 year olds, followed by 30-39 year olds. All together the state has a 7-day average positivity rate of 1.72%.