SPECIAL MESSAGE:

• Case Counts: As of December 11, a total of 2,464 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, another 170 are considered probable positive cases (some current, some in the past), sadly there have been 49 deaths. See more Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard.

• Vaccines are coming, but keep up COVID safety: The State recently released a timeline for when COVID-19 vaccines will be available. While this news provides some much-needed hope, now is not the time to relax COVID safety measures. Although health workers and persons at long-term care facilities may start getting vaccines as early as this month, the vaccine isn’t expected to be available widely until April-June 2021. In the meantime, it’s important that we all continue wearing face coverings (over your nose and mouth), socially distancing, and keeping up other COVID safety measures. As more information about the vaccine becomes available, including information on how to get it locally, we’ll be sharing it in these updates and at somervillema.gov/covid19.

• CDC Calls for universal face coverings: The CDC is now urging that you wear a face covering at all times (over your nose and mouth) whenever you leave home. This includes workplaces and offices and any indoor space as well as outdoors when you can’t stay more than six feet apart. At home, the CDC advises you should wear a face covering if anyone in your home has COVID-19 or has been exposed. It’s also safest to wear face coverings at home when you have guests. Remember, in Somerville and MA, face coverings are required at all times when you are outdoors too.

• Reminder: $500k in new Somerville rental/mortgage assistance funds available: $500,000 in federal COVID-19 Cares Act Relief funds is being dedicated to the City’s Flex-CV Fund to support income-eligible residents behind in rent or mortgage payments due to impacts of the pandemic. This funding is being administered by the Somerville Homeless Coalition and must be allocated by December 30, so residents interested in applying should do so as soon as possible. To learn more about the Flex-CV fund, click HERE.

• Somerville’s COVID-safe holiday plans: This holiday season, our favorite local traditions have adapted to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Santa made a special trip earlier in the month to pre-record a message with Mayor Curtatone and light the Christmas tree; we joined Temple B’nai Brith for a virtual candle lighting on the first night of Hanukkah; and the Arts Council has adapted the Illuminations Tour into a self-guided tour of spectacular lights displays. Click HERE to find out how you can join in the festivities.

• Join us in rethinking your holiday plans: With COVID-19 cases on the rise and colder weather pushing activities inside, now is a good time to consider your holiday plans with coronavirus safety in mind. Because the coronavirus spreads more easily indoors, it’s safest to gather with only people you live with. If you do gather with others, please wear a face covering when you do (even if you are in your home) and create and follow a safety plan. The CDC has some suggestions of things to consider before making holiday plans, as well as tips for making things a bit safer if you do gather with others.

• Free virtual after-school program: SomerSocial is a free, online after-school program for Somerville students in kindergarten through eighth grade. To see upcoming activities and register, visit the SomerSocial website.

• 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: Cover your mouth AND nose