STOP THE SPREAD-New COVID-19 Testing Site Opened Today in Holyoke

As of today, 8/26/20, a Stop the Spread test site will be opening at Holyoke Community College. Testing will run until 9/12/20.

– 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.

– A walk-up site in another location will be opening shortly.

– 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

 

Massachusetts Cities and Towns Struggling to Enforce State’s COVID Restrictions

As the number of coronavirus cases in Massachusetts ticks upward, some local health officials say that the challenge of enforcing COVID-19 restrictions has laid bare structural issues in the state’s public health framework that long pre-date the pandemic.

In early August, Gov. Charlie Baker paused the state’s economic reopening in response to the recent rise in cases, lowering outdoor gathering size limits from 100 people to 50 and giving state and local police authority to enforce coronavirus-related orders. His order also clarified that state restrictions apply to all gatherings, whether on public or private property. Read the full story here: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-cities-and-towns-struggling-to-enforce-states-covid-restrictions/2184071/

 

 

Gov. Baker: No Plans Yet to Move Forward With Mass. Reopening Plan

Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday said he had no immediate plan to move forward in the state’s reopening process — despite modest gains in the fight against the coronavirus — saying his administration was focused on schools reopening in the fall.

“I think we’re going to pretty much stay where we are,” Baker said at a press conference at WheelWorks in Belmont, where he highlighted local businesses. “Our primary focus at this point is the colleges reopening, whether it’s remote or kids coming back to school; and with the K-12 school reopening.”  Read the full story here: https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/gov-baker-to-give-update-on-coronavirus-in-mass/2183435/

 

Massachusetts coronavirus 1.1% positive test rate stays at record low

Massachusetts health officials on Monday reported 27 new coronavirus deaths and 571 new cases as the average positive test rate remained at the state’s record low level of 1.1% over the weekend.

The 27 new coronavirus deaths reported over the weekend bring the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 8,949, the state Department of Public Health announced. The three-day average of coronavirus daily deaths has dropped from 161 at the start of May to 15 now. Read the full story here:  https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/08/24/massachusetts-coronavirus-1-1-positive-test-rate-stays-at-record-low/

 

Free COVID Testing Available in Springfield and Agawam Has Been Extended Until September 12.

The Commonwealth is launching a strategic testing program in communities across Massachusetts that have continued to see a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19.  Springfield and Agawam are two of those communities.  Get the full information here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread

 

Currently there are 1056 positive COVID cases in Holyoke <1% increase

 

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/

Massachusetts has now experienced a total of 8,755 deaths among the 117, 085 confirmed Covid-19 cases. *Massachusetts is now reporting “probable” Coronavirus deaths in addition to confirmed cases.