New Partnership Tracks COVID-19 Infections in Cambridge by Analyzing Wastewater
A new partnership with Biobot Analytics, Inc. in Cambridge offers a new approach to tracking COVID-19 outbreaks: analyzing wastewater. This week, for the first time, Cambridge will have access to local wastewater data that will serve as an early warning signal of increased COVID-19 infections in the city. This new monitoring tool will augment more traditional public health approaches for tracking and responding to disease outbreaks.
Commonwealth Elevates Cambridge and Northeast Region To Critical Drought Status
Despite the considerable snowfall that Cambridge and the greater region has had this winter, drought conditions have been elevated due to limited groundwater recharge this winter. The Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) elevated the Northeast Region of Massachusetts, which includes Cambridge, from a Level 2 - Significant Drought to a Level 3 - Critical Drought earlier this week. In response to the ongoing drought, Cambridge has implemented strict water use restrictions.