A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout

The Public Health Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Cambridge COVID-19 WEEKLY REPORT CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 1, 2021

Case Snapshot (as of Feb. 28) New Infections in Cambridge have declined since early January when rates reached their highest point in the pandemic. Sources: 1City of Cambridge COVID-19 Data Center, downloaded on 2/28/21 at 5 p.m.; 2Massachusetts Department of Public Health Weekly COVID-19 Report, February 25, 2021. 4,849 Total Cases1 (confirmed, probable and suspect) ● 4,545 in the community ● 304 cases in long-term cares 120 Deaths1 ● 63% of deaths were among LTC residents Active Cases1 ● 20% of all cases are active 12.9 Confirmed Cases per 100,0001 (7-day average for Feb. 21-27) Test Positivity2 ● 0.41% (2-week period ending Feb. 20) 2

COVID-19 Community Testing 3

COVID-19 Vaccine Update 4

State COVID-19 Vaccine Update ●Third COVID-19 Vaccine: On Feb. 27, the FDA granted emergency use authorization for the single dose vaccine developed by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson company. Shipments nationwide are expected to begin this week. ●Statewide vaccine supply shortage remains severe, and to streamline distribution, the state has curtailed the role of most local health departments (including CPHD). We can access first dose vaccine to administer only to these populations: ○ Clients/staff of homeless shelters. ○ Low income or affordable public/private senior housing properties or homebound individuals. 5 Source: Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report, MDPH, 2/25/21.

Vaccine Administration Update ●As of Feb. 26, Massachusetts ranked 1st for persons with 1+ doses administered per capita amongst states with 5 million people or more.ٰ¹ ●Over 1 million people who live, work, or study in Massachusetts have received the first dose. ●In Cambridge: ○Over 2,000 eligible people have received vaccine first doses at City-operated vaccination clinics. ○92% of vaccine received by the City has been administered, as of Feb. 26. ○The City has not wasted a single dose of vaccine!! ¹ Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Report, MDPH, 2/25/21. . 6

City Vaccine Update Phase 1 Eligible Groups ●First Responders (and other Phase 1 eligible health care workers): ○ Total of 1,180 first dose and 893 second vaccines administered. ○ Additional second dose clinic scheduled for March 3. ●Homeless Shelters (clients/staff) ○ Total of 350 first dose vaccines and 281 second dose vaccines administered to clients/staff of homeless shelters. ○ Second dose administration began on Feb. 17. ○ Vaccination clinics were held last week at the YWCA, Salvation Army, and First Church Cambridge Friday Cafe. The Cambridge Pandemic Collaborative (CPC), led by Public Health, Fire, Police and Pro EMS, began administering vaccines in early January. As of Feb. 26: 7

City Vaccine Update Phase 2 Eligible Groups Cambridge Housing Authority senior/disabled buildings: ●Total of 629 first dose vaccines were administered between Feb. 4–26 at the following apartment buildings: Manning, Millers River, LBJ, Burns, Russell, Putnam School House Apartments, Weaver, Linnaean Street, Norfolk Street, and St. Paul’s Residence. ●Second dose clinics scheduled week of March 1–5 at Millers River and Manning apartments. Non-CHA Senior buildings (that qualify under Phase 2): ●Cambridge Court Apartments (CPHD and partners will administer pending vaccine availability). ●2 Mt Auburn Avenue (run by HRI): Partnering through the Federal PPP with pharmacy in Newton. 8

City Vaccine Update Regional Vaccination Site Proposal ●The City has been in active discussions with potential partners to establish a regional vaccination site that would be located in a surrounding community. ●On Feb 26, the City and its partners submitted a formal proposal to the state to operate a regional vaccination site. ●Thus far, there are nine communities who comprise the regional collaborative. ●Cambridge remains vigilant in advocating for doses to support residents. 9

COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Clinicians Speakers Bureau and COVID-19 Vaccine Forums: Recent Forums ●Helping Seniors Survive COVID: Cambridge-Somerville Mass Senior Action Council (Feb. 19) ●Addressing Hesitancy Among Communities of Color: The COVID-19 Vaccine hosted by Mayor Siddiqui & Claude Jacob (Feb. 23) ●The Color of COVID: The Vaccine hosted by CPHD & Men of Color Task Force (Feb. 25) 10

COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Recent Forums, cont’d: ●Vaccines and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Primer for the Public, Ragon Institute and CPL (Feb. 24) ●Get the Facts! Vaccine Chat, Birth to 3rd Grade Partnership/CPS (Feb. 25) In the Planning Stages/Outreach: ●Cambridge Community Center (Date TBD) ●Faith Community (Dates TBD) ●Immigrant communities (Dates TBD) ●Councillor Simmons and Interfaith Council (March 3) ●CNAHS/Homeowners Rehab Inc. (Date TBD) ●Councillor Simmons Seniors Forum (March 3) Vaccine Communications Research Continues. 11

COVID-19 Testing in K-12 Schools CPS staff are being tested twice a week, on a voluntary basis, as part of a CPHD surveillance program. Testing is also offered to symptomatic students who become ill at school, and student athletes. 16,683 Tests Tests administered to CPS staff through the voluntary testing program since Oct. 15 11X Median number of times a CPS staff member has gotten tested through the program since Oct. 15 Data reflect Oct. 15- Feb. 26 1,360 Staff Tested Total # of CPS staff who have been tested through the voluntary testing program since Oct. 15 568 students Symptomatic CPS students and student athletes who have been tested through the program since Oct. 15 12

Routine Health Care and COVID ●Cambridge Health Alliance and Mount Auburn Hospital have prioritized the highest need individuals, as well as children in terms of preventative care. ●Access to in person care is still slightly limited. ●Some families prefer televisit access and there is strong availability of televisits. ●Overall, our Cambridge hospitals and primary care sites are doing very well at maintaining our high levels of preventative care. 13