News

On Thursday, October 22, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recategorized the City of Cambridge as a moderate risk “yellow” community. This designation is given to communities where the average daily case rate over the last 14 days is 4-8 cases per 100,000 population.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced a $774 million comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115 million in new funding to small businesses and Main Streets hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and for workforce training efforts. Additionally, the Administration is aligning multiple funding sources, both existing and proposed, to appropriately respond to the crisis.

Cambridge has been recategorized as a “yellow” risk community based on new data published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health today. A Yellow designation is given to communities where the average daily case rate over the last 14 days is 4-8 cases per 100,000 population. Cambridge is currently at 4.1 cases per 100,000 residents according to the October 22 data release by the Commonwealth.

On Tuesday, October 20, the Cambridge Public Health Department was alerted through the MAVEN surveillance system and the facility that a resident of a long-term care facility tested positive for COVID-19

Since Friday, October 2, seven residents of a Cambridge skilled nursing facility have tested positive for COVID-19. Five of the seven individuals are current residents of the facility; the other two individuals were discharged from the facility prior to testing positive and no longer reside in Cambridge. In addition, one facility employee who does not reside in Cambridge has tested positive for COVID-19.

The City of Cambridge Tenants Rights and Resources Ordinance, Chapter 8.71 of the Cambridge Municipal Code was established to inform and educate both residential tenants and landlords as well as management companies, realtors, and all others involved in renting and leasing residential dwelling units in the City of Cambridge of their rights and responsibilities as a landlord or tenant.

The City of Cambridge is canceling all City-sponsored Halloween events and will not be issuing street closure, block party, or park permits this year for community events in order to help prevent large groups from congregating in close proximity.

Since Friday, October 2, three residents of a Cambridge long-term care facility have tested positive for COVID-19. All staff and residents have since been tested, and the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) will announce any positive results once they are posted in MAVEN, the state’s reportable disease database.

Results from this survey will help the Massachusetts Department of Public Health act and address the most critical needs, partner with communities to support local efforts, and inform state policy with accurate information on what people need now and in the long term.

The City of Cambridge announced that all City-sponsored community events, events permitted for the use of City parks, or other City-sponsored public gatherings will be cancelled through October 26, 2020, or postponed to a later date. All prior approvals for events or gatherings are revoked. The City Manager’s Office is collaborating with the City’s COVID-19 Expert Advisory Panel, the Commissioner of Public Health, and the Cambridge Public Health Department to evaluate and determine what Halloween activities will be allowed in the City. Further guidance on Halloween activities in the City to be announced the week of October 12.