By Kyle Dante

According to reports discussed at the latest meeting of the city’s Public Health and Safety Committee, there have been several difficulties in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic in Somerville, which is being worked on by city officials.

People are getting vaccinated and continue to adhere to testing protocols. As of May 27, 82.4 percent of the Somerville population is fully vaccinated, with an additional 51.8% boosted. 62,359 Somerville residents are fully vaccinated, with another 72,040 vaccinated at least once.

Regarding Covid-19 testing, Somerville has 19,430 positive cases total; 17,879 are confirmed, with the remainder as probable cause. In April and May 2022, the positive test cases were 1,703 and 1,643, respectively. It is a significant jump from February (784) and March (764), nearly double the number. Of that number, 1,626 are grade-school students since September 2021; 388 for staff members. Currently, as of May 15, only 49 students and 23 staff members tested positive. It has been an up and down slope of cases for students and staff, according to the Covid-19 dashboard for Somerville.

For further information on the testing and vaccination statistics, somervillema.gov will have up-to-date information from the start of the pandemic to now. Although the United States is slowly recovering from its downturn, people remain worried. It is due to new Covid-19 strains found by the CDC and the long-term stay of Covid-19 itself. It is dangerous for those at high risk of infection, especially as mandate restrictions remain loose, if non-existent.

At the same time, it can cause an issue with citizens in public. As of now, Massachusetts has removed its state mask mandate. Regarding Covid-19, newer variants are more contagious than Omicron; it is a high risk for immunocompromised residents.

According to Ward 7 City Councilor Judy Pineada Neufield, one option is reimplementing a one-hour window for the elderly and high-risk citizens to shop. When shopping, customers and employees must wear masks for safety. It is the same standard several businesses, including local grocery stores and pharmacies, did at the start of the pandemic. For example, Committee Chair, At-Large City Councilor Charlotte Kelly, notes the farmer’s market model. There is a one-hour period for the high-risk citizens to shop without interference in the summer and winter.

There are no plans to reimplement the mask mandate in Somerville. However, the Somerville City Council will continue to find ways to assist with the Covid-19 data continually consulted.

In the meantime, refer to somervillema.gov for info regarding the ongoing Covid-19 cases in Somerville.