Here is the COVID-19 update for Friday, October 16. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

• Stay vigilant, Somerville now Red on State Covid-19 Map: This week, Somerville moved into the red category on the State’s COVID-19 map. Communities move into the red category when they have more than 8 cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days. Somerville’s rate is currently 8.2. This serves as an important reminder that we all need to keep up the good practices that helped flatten the curve in the spring – social distancing, limiting gatherings with people you don’t live with, wearing a face covering in any public indoor or outdoor space, and frequently washing or sanitizing your hands and high-touch surfaces.

• Don’t forget about COVID safety on Halloween: We strongly urge that residents forgo normal trick-or-treating this year in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. The 10-person gathering limit remains in place for indoor and outdoor events and all in-person City-sponsored or -permited events will not take place this year. The Centers for Disease Control has suggestions for lower-risk activities like at-home crafts and virtual meet-ups. Additionally the Somerville Arts Council is working on a map of Halloween decorations so you can organize your own spooky neighborhood walk, they are creating a list of virtual Halloween happenings, and the Parks and Recreation Department is planning special events and crafts for participants in its afterschool program for the week of Halloween (currently there are still spots available that Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday).

• Covid-19 Update Town Hall, Tuesday Oct. 20, 6 p.m.: As part of a series of virtual ResiStat meetings being held this fall, join the Mayor, City Councilors, and staff for a Covid-19 update including looking at health stats, the emergency response, where the data is currently trending, and more. We’ll also take your questions. You can either call in, join by zoom, or watch on City TV. Details at somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall. Spanish interpretation and English captioning will be available. To request Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol and Nepali interpretation, email sbernt@somervillema.gov.

• Seniors Covid-19 Town Hall, Wednesday Oct. 21, 6 p.m.: As part of our series of virtual ResiStat meetings, the Mayor, City Councilors, and Council on Aging staff will share Covid-19 updates specifically relevant for our seniors — both younger and more senior seniors. We look forward to a lively Q&A as well. You can either call in (dial 301-715-8592 and enter 967 3802 0490 when prompted for a code), join by zoom, or watch on City TV. Details at somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall. Spanish interpretation and English captioning will be available. To request Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol and Nepali interpretation, email sbernt@somervillema.gov.

• Early voting starts Saturday: Early voting for the November 3 election starts on Saturday, October 17 and goes through Friday, October 30. All early voting takes place at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., and you can find a list of early voting hours HERE. By taking advantage of early voting, anyone wishing to vote in-person can help spread out crowds over the two-week period, which will help with social distancing.

• State eviction moratorium set to expire, Somerville’s moratorium remains in place: The State’s eviction moratorium is set to expire on Saturday, October 17, which means landlords will be able to begin eviction proceedings through the courts. In Somerville, however, a local moratorium remains in place that prevents the physical removal of people or their belongings from a residential or commercial property. If you are served with eviction papers, the City’s Office of Housing Stability (OHS) can help connect you with resources and support. Anyone in Somerville facing housing insecurity should contact the OHS either by visiting somervillema.gov/ohs and clicking on “Make a Referral” or by calling 617-625-66000 x2581.

• Additional housing resources: Earlier this week the State announced that an additional $171 million would be invested in eviction prevention programs. Again, if you are facing housing insecurity, please contact OHS either by visiting somervillema.gov/ohs and clicking on “Make a Referral” or by calling 617-625-66000 x2581.

• Housing-focused Town Hall: Last night (Oct. 15), the City’s ResiStat program hosted a town hall on Housing during COVID-19. Resources for both renters and homeowners were explained. You can watch a recording on the City’s YouTube channel youtube.com/SomervilleCityTV.

• Support your neighbors through the Somerville Cares Fund (or apply for assistance): If you’re fortunate enough to be able to, please consider making a donation to the Somerville Cares Fund. (If you are in need of assistance, you can apply to the fund via the same link.) This donation-based fund gives direct assistance to Somerville residents, workers, and families to help cover basic needs like groceries, diapers, personal hygiene products, medical copays, and prescriptions. As the pandemic stretches on, and people remain out of work or working fewer hours, the need in our community remains acute for many. Every donation big or small can help. Just $45 will buy a healthy bag of groceries or cover a couple of medications for someone who may otherwise have to ration pills. And if you know any larger donors who you may be able to convince to contribute, please consider doing so.

• Making masks you’d like to donate? We’re nearly halfway to our goal for our 10,000 Mask Drive: So far, you’ve made and donated 4,605 masks! If you’re a crafty Somerville resident who has been sewing reusable face masks, please consider donating some to help us meet our 10,000 mask goal. After being laundered, masks are distributed to seniors and other vulnerable populations. If you would like to donate masks, put them in a sealed bag and bring them to the drop box at either the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) or the East Branch Library (115 Broadway).
• Free COVID-19 testing: CHA Somerville Hospital offers free testing at Assembly Row by appointment. To make an appointment, call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). The mobile COVID-19 testing unit also offers testing in our neighborhoods to make access easier for residents. Mobile testing schedules and more information on both can be found under the “Symptoms, Testing, & Medical Info” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.