Somerville’s COVID-19 update for 8/14/20

On August 14, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Here is a COVID-19 update for Friday, August 14. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

  • Case Counts: As of 12:00 p.m. August 14, a total of 1,059 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 92 are probably positive cases, 1,055 have since recovered, and sadly there have been 37 deaths. See more Somerville case data on the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

  • Somerville Public Schools to open virtually: Somerville Public Schools students will be starting the 2020-2021 school year virtually in an effort to protect the health of students, teachers, school staff, and the broader community. This is part of a phased hybrid approach that will, dependent on positive health data, transition to some in-person learning. To learn more about SPS’s back-to-school planning, visit their website.
  • Phase 3 reopening remains on hold: Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening will remain on hold. Local officials will continue to review the situation in two-week intervals, with the next update coming on or before Thursday, August 27. In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings also remain in Phase 2, with no more than 10 persons allowed until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines.
  • Voting information and upcoming deadlines: Because of the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency, elections will look a little different this fall. Find key information below and on our Elections website.
    • Register to Vote: The deadline is 8:00 p.m. August 22.
    • Vote by Mail
      • Return your ballot application ASAP! The deadline is by 5:00 p.m. on August 26.
      • If you’ve already sent in your application, check its status here. “Pending” means your application’s been received but your ballot hasn’t been mailed yet. “Not returned” means your ballot has been mailed to you, but not yet returned to the Elections Department. Ballots are now going out daily, so keep an eye on your mailbox.
    • In-Person Voting
      • We encourage you to vote by mail to avoid crowds, but if you plan to vote in person, early voting is August 22 to 28 at City Hall. See the schedule here.
      • If you plan to vote on Election Day, September 1, please note some polling places have been relocated. Find your polling place here. 
  • City buildings remain closed, many online services available: City buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice, but there are many city services you can access online including getting a parking permit, paying bills, and finding the latest city news and information. For more information on accessing city services online, click the “City Service Status” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.
  • Help us reach our goal of 10,000 face masks: Thanks to our crafty residents, more than 3,700 reusable cloth masks have been donated as part of our 10,000 Masks Drive. If you’d like to sew and donate some masks, please seal them in a bag and use the book drop at either the Central or East Branch Library. Masks are being distributed to seniors and other vulnerable populations who may not have easy access to reusable masks.
  • Massachusetts travel and quarantine rules: All visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must comply with new public health rules to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Anyone who enters the state must complete a Massachusetts Travel Form and quarantine for 14 days. There are some exceptions to the new rules including for anyone arriving from a low-risk state (currently Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont) or anyone who can produce proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before their arrival in Massachusetts. Visit the State Department of Health’s website for more information on the Massachusetts Travel Order.
  • Free mobile testing times and locations: The mobile COVID-19 testing unit offers testing in our neighborhoods to make access easier for residents. You can find the schedule of upcoming testing times, locations, and appointment instructions under the “Symptoms, Testing, & Medical Info” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.
  • Additional testing resources: The State is offering testing nearby in Everett and Chelsea, among other locations, through September 12. Learn more here. Find testing sites statewide on this interactive map. Information continues to evolve quickly, so contact a site prior to arrival.

Today’s Assistance Tip: What resources are available for businesses impacted by this public health crisis?

The coronavirus outbreak and the social distancing precautions it necessitates are having a big impact on Somerville businesses and the surrounding business community. We understand the stress that our entrepreneurs, workers, suppliers, and freelancers are under given the uncertainty of the situation and the level of disruption to daily life.

  • The city has set up a separate website dedicated to local business needs during this health crisis. Please bookmark somervillema.gov/COVIDBizHelp and visit for regular updates, event announcements, and support during this difficult time. You can also contact the Economic Development team at EconomicDevelopment@somervillema.gov.
  • The city’s Economic Development team offers an e-newsletter for businesses. It’s sent frequently and includes the latest information, resources, and initiatives for our local business community.
  • The city is offering free one-on-one coaching assistance to businesses based in Somerville or owned by Somerville residents that have been affected by the coronavirus. Get help with loans applications, financial planning, restaurant operations, and more. Learn more here. Coaching is available in multiple languages.

Today’s Public Health Tip: How do I quarantine or isolate if I live with other people in an apartment?

If you are self-quarantining, the CDC recommends the following:

  • Stay away from others as much as possible. If possible, designate a specific “sick room” in your apartment for the person with symptoms. The person with symptoms should clean high touch surfaces in their “sick room” on a daily basis.
  • If a separate bathroom is not available for the infected person, surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected after use. The CDC recommends that a caregiver wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom before cleaning.
  • Limit contact with pets.
  • Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with others in your home.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Learn more from the CDC about what to do if you are sick.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

— City of Somerville

 
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