The COVID-19 virus is surging locally and nationwide. Unfortunately confusion is also mounting regarding its treatment and prevention fueled by federal guidelines that contradict evidence-based science. Although the pandemic is over, the virus is not. The recent surge is no where near pandemic levels but cases, more serious illness and deaths are increasing. Confusion is epidemic. Available case counts represent only a portion of actual cases.
Massachusetts current case counts include available reports of people tested with a molecular test and those tested by a health care provider using an antigen test. Last week, there were 96 documented cases in Westfield and 77 in Southwick. Numbers in the Berkshires and eastern Massachusetts were much higher. Case counts for the state were down to 475 in July and have more than tripled in the last week. Deaths have recently averaged 3-4 a week and not significantly risen locally. Virus levels found in wastewater surveillance have increased.
Massachusetts is committed to protecting its citizens amid the confusion of directives and misinformation from the federal level. The Department of Health along with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative is committed to “providing resourced, evidence-based recommendations to guide the use of vaccines to protect our communities.”