An update on COVID-19

How it started

Dec 20, 2021 · Submitted by Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager.

What happened

Dec 20, 2021 · 📁 Placed on file. This was an informative report; there were no decisions to make. (unanimous)

Voted yes (9), unanimous

Dennis Carlone
Patty Nolan
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Alanna Mallon
Marc McGovern
Sumbul Siddiqui
E. Denise Simmons
Timothy J. Toomey
Quinton Zondervan

Roll call of Dec 20, 2021 · from the city’s record · photos: City of Cambridge

What’s next

🚪 End of the line: filing closes the matter. Nothing further is scheduled.

The document Agenda item attachment · 9 pages

🏛 This item on the city's site 📄 Download original PDF 📖 Full reader view

Omicron: What We Know

5 ●Detected in 45 states, including MA, as of Dec. 19. ●Data suggest Omicron is very transmissible. ●CDC optimistic that vaccines will protect against severe illness and death; better protection with boosters; more vaccine breakthroughs and reinfections likely. ●Severity of disease is still unknown. Rapid spread of Omicron could stress hospitals regardless of severity.

Omicron: What You Can Do

Get Vaccinated and Boosted

●New reality: If you’re not boosted, you’re not fully protected. Vaccination and boosters are strongly recommended for all eligible residents and single best way to protect yourself from serious illness.

Wear Your Masks Indoors

●New reality: Wear your mask as much as possible: visiting homes of friends/family; dining out (except when actively eating); indoor workplaces, apartment common areas, other indoor settings. Avoid using cloth masks indoors, if possible. 6

Omicron: What You Can Do (contʼd)

Carefully Consider Social Gatherings

●Decline invitations if concerned about personal risk or risk to vulnerable household or family members. ●Lowest risk: Outdoor gatherings. ●Highest risk: Indoor gatherings where people are unmasked; large indoor gatherings; gatherings with people who haven’t been boostered; and/or gatherings in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.

Get Tested

●Cambridge offers free testing 5 days/ week. ●Home test kits becoming widely available.

If Infected or Exposed…

●Notify close contacts directly and through MassNotify. ●Following quarantine and isolation guidance. 7

Home Test Kit Program

●Cambridge received 21,690 test kits (two tests per kit) for a total of over 43,000 tests ●Pro EMS took delivery on Friday, Dec. 17. ●Distribution began today, with assistance from Police and DPW ●Distribution to 20+ sites, targeting our most vulnerable residents ●Sites include shelters, senior housing, multi-service center, low-income housing, and community agencies. 8

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Wednesday, January 5

Pfizer Vaccine & Booster Clinic for ages 5+

Cambridge Rindge & Latin School (CRLS)

Field House

3:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Appointments Required

🗓 The meeting where this was taken up: Dec 20, 2021