COVID-19 update for 5/12/20

On May 12, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Here is a COVID-19 update for Tuesday, May 12.

Please also be sure to check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Latest news:

Case Counts: As of 11 a.m. today, May 12, a total of 712 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19, 420 of them have since recovered, and sadly there have been 17 deaths. More Somerville case data can be found on the City’s COVID-19 Dashboard

City buildings will remain closed to the public until at least Monday, June 1. Most City services are still available online, and 311 is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions or for service requests.

Gov. Baker announced reopening plan: On Monday, Gov. Baker announced a phased re-opening plan for the state. The plan, which goes into effect on or about May 18th, has four phases with businesses with lower chances of COVID-19 transmission opening first. Businesses will have to have safety plans in place that allow for social distancing and regular cleaning. Right now there aren’t a lot of details available, but as more information becomes available about State and local plans, we’ll share that information.

Join an Upcoming Virtual Town Hall Meeting to Discuss COVID-19: Join us for a series of virtual town hall meetings with Mayor Curtatone where you can learn about local COVID-19 impacts and the City’s response. You can either participate live via Zoom or by calling in by phone, or submit questions in advance and watch live on City Cable TV (channels 13 and 613 on RCN, channel 22 on Comcast). Meetings will also be recorded and rebroadcast later on the City YouTube Channel and City Cable TV. For more information on how to participate, visit somervillema.gov/virtualtownhall. Here are the upcoming meetings:
- Seniors Town Hall – Tonight, Tuesday, May 12, 7 to 8 p.m. (join Mayor Joe and the Council on Aging)
- Spanish Language Town Hall – Wednesday, May 13, 7 to 8 p.m. (will be held in Spanish)
- Community Town Hall – Tuesday, May 19, 7 to 8 p.m. (for general public)
- Parents Town Hall – Thursday, May 21, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Youth Town Hall – date to be announced (for teenagers and high school students)

Street sweeping begins May 18: Starting Monday, May 18, street sweeping will be back on a regular schedule. We understand it may be difficult for people who are staying in their homes due to COVID-19 to move their cars, so instead of ticketing, we are asking for your help. If you are able to move your car, please do so. Street sweeping helps clean up debris that can otherwise clog storm drains and lead to flooding. So moving your car will be greatly appreciated. If you can’t move your car, don’t worry, we won’t ticket and sweepers will do their best to sweep around your vehicle. It would be kind of amazing though if everyone pulled together to move most cars just to be helpful. So if you can, why not be part of that? Check the signs on your street or visit somervillema.gov/sweeper for your street sweeping schedule.

Send a congratulatory message to the Class of 2020 grad: Although you may not be able to celebrate graduation in person this year, here are two ways to congratulate graduates:
- First, we’re calling on everyone to make signs to put in their windows or yards (or use chalk on your driveways or sidewalks) to congratulate the class of 2020. Somerville High graduation is Monday, June 3, and since we can’t have a normal commencement ceremony, your kind words will go far. Feel free to start putting up signs as soon as you like. This would be a fun activity with kids. And, don’t forget that PHA and area private schools also have graduates to celebrate.
- Second, Wicked Local is offering the opportunity to send a congratulatory message out to your graduate, at no cost to families. To participate, send an email to somerville@wickedlocal.com with the subject line “Congrats Grad Message.” Include a congratulatory message of up to 25 words, the name of the graduate the message is going to, and who the message is from. Please send your submission by the end of the day Friday, May 22.

Free COVID-19 testing: To sign up for free COVID-19 testing for Somerville residents, call 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s referral.

Today’s Assistance Tip: Subscribe to the Business Newsletter to get the Latest Business Updates

If you’re a business owner, don’t forget to subscribe to our Economic Development office’s newsletter. You’ll get updates on business-specific COVID-19 supports and on changing rules and guidelines as the crisis continues.

Today’s Public Health Tip: If someone I live with gets COVID-19 how can I help care for them?

Here are some tips for how you can help someone with COVID-19 while still keeping yourself and the rest of your household safe. Please remember as well that if you cannot safely care for a person with COVID-19 in your home, the Recovery Inn co-sponsored by the City and staffed by Mass General Hospital is available and free. Call 617-819-4528 to learn more.

Establish a room (and a bathroom if possible) that only the quarantined person will use for at least 14 days.
The quarantined person should not leave home or their room at all, except for urgent medical care or to use the bathroom, for at least 14 days or until symptoms subside. The door should be kept closed. If urgent care is needed, they should wear a surgical mask at all times while outside of the home. Do not take buses, subways, or rideshares like Uber or Lyft. Use a personal vehicle or call an ambulance to get to the provider’s location. And call ahead to your provider so they can be ready.
If the condition of your loved one or household member deteriorates, do not wait to contact your healthcare provider. Call them right away. If the person develops severe shortness of breath, call 911.
All household members should monitor their own health and call their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath).
All household members should practice strict personal hygiene. That means washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue every time. Then wash your hands. You should avoid touching anything in the isolation room, but if you do, wash your hands immediately afterward.
Do not share plates, glasses, cups, or utensils. Wash all these items in a dishwasher or with dishwashing liquid and warm water. If possible, serve the sick household member food with disposable plates, cups, paper napkins, and plastic cutlery, then have them dispose of those items when done in their own trash bin. Put on disposable gloves to empty the bin (or wash your hands immediately afterward).
When bringing food or other items to your sick loved one or household member, avoid physical contact. Set the food outside the door if possible. Do not linger in the room if you must enter. Both you and the person with COVID-19 should wear face masks when you enter the room if possible.
Wipe down frequently used surfaces and all shared bathroom fixtures with a household disinfecting cleaner – especially if they’ve come in contact with bodily fluids like spit, mucus, urine, feces, or vomit.
Do not allow visitors in your home.
If possible, open a window slightly and leave it open in the room of your sick household member for air circulation. (Do so only if the temperature remains comfortable.)
The sick household member should avoid petting or interacting with pets. The CDC has information on COVID and pets.
The CDC has provided a list of recommendations for how to best care for someone at home which can be found on the CDC website.