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A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19 vaccination rollout
The Public Health Response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic in Cambridge
COVID-19 WEEKLY REPORT
CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 29, 2021
Case Snapshot (as of March 28)
New infection rates among Cambridge residents have
increased since mid-February, mirroring statewide trends.
Sources: 1Cambridge Public Health Department data, accessed on 3/29/21 at 11 am; 2Massachusetts Department of Public
Health Weekly COVID-19 Report, March 25, 2021.
5,468 Total Cases1
(confirmed, probable and suspect)
●
5,164 in the community
●
304 cases in long-term cares
121 Deaths1
●
63% of deaths were among LTC residents
Active Cases1
●
16% of all cases are active
22 Confirmed Cases per 100,0001
(7-day average for March 21–27)
Test Positivity2
●
0.43% (2-week period ending March 20)
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COVID Variants
What the experts are saying . . .
●Cambridge EAP: The B.1.1.7 variant may now be
responsible for around 30% of new cases in MA based
on national data trends and small-sample targeted
sequencing of MA cases by various laboratories.
●Massachusetts Department of Public Health: The
B.1.1.7 variant is circulating widely in Massachusetts;
concern that P1 and B.1.351 will gain a foothold in MA.
●Cambridge Public Health Department: The B.1.1.7
variant is likely a factor in the rising infection rates in
Cambridge and MA, along with pandemic fatigue.
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COVID-19 Community Testing
in Cambridge
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COVID-19 Vaccine Update
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State Vaccine Updates
1 Massachusetts Department of Public Health Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination
Report, March 25, 2021. 2 Massachusetts Department of Public Health Daily COVID-19 Vaccine
Report (March 25).
●29% of Massachusetts residents have received at
least one dose of vaccine, as March 23.1
●MA vaccine supply increased 25% for week of March
19-25 compared to prior week, with over 520,000
doses shipped to MA from the federal government.2
●Timeline for remaining groups:
○
April 5: Residents age 55+ and those with one medical
condition that meets state criteria.
○
April 19: General public age 16+.
●Residents can pre-register to book an appointment at
a mass vaccination site at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine.
City Vaccine Update
Phase 2 Eligible Groups
The Cambridge Pandemic Collaborative (CPC) began
administering vaccines in early January. As of March 26:
●2,607 eligible people had received at least one dose
(Moderna) or the single-dose vaccine (J&J) at City-run clinics.
●100% of Moderna vaccine received had been administered.
●Cambridge Housing Authority senior/disabled housing:
○
For the week ending March 26, a total of 211 people had received at
least one dose (Moderna) or the single-dose (J & J) in CHA
senior/disabled housing, and in other low-income housing.
○
This week, the CPC will continue vaccinating seniors in other CHA
housing.
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City Vaccine Update:
Homebound Vaccination Program
●CPHD, Cambridge Housing Authority, Council on Aging,
and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services continue to
work to identify and screen residents who meet the
specific criteria for homebound status.
●CPHD has vaccinated 11 homebound individuals with
vaccine remaining from clinics held in CHA senior,
disabled housing, and in other eligible CHA housing.*
○These individuals are known to the Council on Aging
and CPHD as homebound due to flu clinic data from
earlier this calendar year.
* As of March 26, 2021 at 12 p.m.
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City Vaccine Update (as of March 23)
Vaccination Race/Ethnicity Data
The proportion of Cambridge residents by race and ethnicity who
have received at least one dose of vaccine in Cambridge and
Massachusetts:
Race/Ethnicity
Cambridge1
MA2
Asian
12%
18%
Black
24%
19%
Hispanic/Latinx
14%
12%
Multiracial
18%
26%
White
25%
29%
Total % of all residents who have
received at least one dose
24%
29%
¹MA Department of Public Health Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Report, March 25,
2021.² Race/Ethnicity Data: MA Department of Public Health Weekly Vaccine Report, March 25,
2021. Data for Cambridge and Massachusetts is current as of March 23, 2021.
COVID-19 Vaccine Communications
Clinician Speakers Bureau
●Cambridge Public Schools Educators and Staff (April 1)
●Haitian Community; co-sponsored with Cambridge Public
Library (April 19)
●Additional community forums in process: Arab speaking;
Spanish speaking; Portuguese speaking; working with the
Cambridge Black Pastors Alliance and Islamic Society of
Boston Cultural Center.
Communications Campaign
●Multi-pronged and micro-targeted campaign is being
operationalized by communications consultants, City, and
CPHD.
●Spring holiday guidance released (Passover, Easter,
Ramadan).
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Cambridge Public Schools Testing
●PCR Testing. As of October 20, there have been:
CPS Staff:
○
A total of 1,463 unique adults tested
○
A total of 21,538 tests administered
CPS Students:
○
A total of 1,266 unique children tested
○
A total of 4,185 tests administered
●Since October 20, 50 positive cases have been identified
through school PCR testing.
●Pooled Testing. On Monday, March 22, CPHD administered:
○
245 testing pools; approximately 1,450 children swabbed.
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City Vaccine Update
Behind the Numbers
CPHD and City partners have been vaccinating Cambridge
residents since January, and the voices of our community have
important stories and testimony:
“My brother is a resident at (residence deleted) and
received the 2nd vaccine today. I am so appreciative to
CPH and Cambridge Fire Department and Cambridge
Housing Authority for all their work in making sure the
elderly were able to be vaccinated; in their homes, no
less. I am so relieved to have my brother vaccinated.”
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