Somerville’s COVID-19 update

On November 20, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Here is the COVID-19 update for Friday, November 20. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

Case Counts: As of November 17, a total of 1,757 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, another 136 are considered probable positive cases (some current, some in the past), 1,502 have since recovered, and sadly there have been 47 deaths. See more Somerville case data on the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard.

$500k in New Somerville Rental/Mortgage Assistance funds available: The City is making $500,000 in Covid-19 relief funds available to cover rental and certain mortgage arrears for income-eligible Somerville residents regardless of immigration status who are behind on payments due to impacts of the pandemic. Residents must have an income below the AMI (Area Median Income). Details will be posted to the City website early next week and funds must be allotted by December 31, so early applications are encouraged. The Office of Housing Stability will be available to answer questions and provide application assistance as needed. Please be sure to check somervillema.gov early next week for more details. (The HUD-approved AMI for Somerville that applicants must be below is $83,300 for an individual, $95,220 for a household of two, $107,100 for a household of three, $119,000 for a household of four, etc.).

Apply for Small Business Relief Funds by November 30: The deadline for applying for the second round of Small Business Relief Funds is Monday, November 30, by 3 p.m. Visit somervillema.gov/bizrelief for more information about the funding as well as how to apply.

Photo project honors lives lost to COVID-19: Tragically, the United States has now lost more than 250,000 people to COVID-19. To honor those who have been lost locally, the Somerville Arts Council has put together somervilleremembers.org, a website that features pictures from local photographers that represent the Somerville residents lost to this pandemic. The photos show empty chairs displayed in Somerville locations, each to represent a person who has succumbed to this virus. The project was undertaken when the city’s confirmed fatalities stood at 42 people. Sadly, the number continues to rise and now stands at 47.

Reminder: Residential parking enforcement resumes December 1: Residential parking enforcement, which was suspended earlier this year, will resume on Tuesday, December 1. If you don’t have a residential parking permit or need to renew yours, now is the time to do it. You can apply for or renew your permit online or via the mail or drop box at the Parking Department office. Find out more HERE.

Tax rate public hearing scheduled for 11/24: The Somerville City Council will hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2021 tax rates on Tuesday, November 24, starting at 7 p.m. Find out how you can attend the meeting and/or provide testimony by clicking HERE.

Free COVID-19 testing: CHA Somerville Hospital offers free testing at Assembly Row. 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. Mobile testing schedules and more information on both can be found under the “Symptoms, Testing, & Medical Info” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19. The State also operates several Stop the Spread testing sites, including in the nearby communities of Chelsea and Everett. For more information, visit the State’s website.

Public Health Tip: Be safe this holiday season

With the holidays approaching, you may be thinking about ways to gather with loved ones to celebrate. As a reminder, the safest choice is to avoid gathering with anyone you don’t already live with. Staying within your own household is the only sure way to not spread COVID-19 to others. Instead of celebrating in-person, consider connecting with loved ones via the phone or virtually. If, however, you plan to get together with family or friends, here are some things you can do to lower the risk:

The CDC offers a variety of tips for having a safer holiday gathering, including keeping gatherings small, staying outdoors, wearing face coverings, and having everyone bring their own meals.
This article from Time offers some tips on how to talk to loved ones about changing the way you celebrate this year.
Familiarize yourself with the State’s travel guidelines. If you are traveling to certain states, you will need to report that travel and quarantine for two weeks or have proof of a negative COVID-19 test when you return. Check frequently as quarantine requirements may be updated at any time.

Assistance Tip: Area food resources

If you need assistance accessing food, there are several resources available to you locally. Visit our COVID-19 Help page to learn more. There you will find a chart that includes local food pantry schedules, contact information, languages spoken at the food pantry, and whether or not you need to bring ID.

Support your neighbors through the Somerville Cares Fund (or apply for assistance): As Somerville families and residents hit hard by the pandemic face the holiday season, 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 — the ingredients for a favorite holiday meal or dish. Every donation big or small can help. Just $45 will buy a healthy bag of groceries or a couple of medications for someone who may otherwise have to ration pills. If you know any larger donors who may be able to contribute more, please share this information with them.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), 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 in advance at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov