The Swansea Board of Selectmen, together with Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein and the COVID Task Force, announce that the Town of Swansea has lifted its indoor mask policy for municipal buildings.
BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history.
BOSTON — Today the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released a review of breakthrough COVID-19 cases in vaccinated Massachusetts residents and found nearly 97% of all breakthrough cases in the Commonwealth have not resulted in hospitalization or death.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that genetic sequencing has identified the COVID-19 Omicron variant for the first time in a case in Massachusetts. The individual is a female in her 20s and a resident of Middlesex County who traveled out of state. She is fully vaccinated, has experienced mild disease, and did not require hospitalization. The variant was identified through sequencing performed at New England Biolabs.
BOSTON– Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced that effective immediately, all Massachusetts residents aged 18 and over are eligible to get a COVID-19 booster six months after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two months since receiving a Johnson & Johnson single dose vaccine.
Massachusetts residents can access booster doses from more than 1,000 locations, with appointments available now for booking across the Commonwealth. CDC recommendations allow for mixing and matching of different COVID-19 booster doses, and eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. The Administration recommends that residents with questions about which booster is right for them should ask their health care provider for advice.
How to Get a Booster:
Vaccines are widely available across the Commonwealth. Getting vaccinated remains the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves, their families, and their community.
The COVID-19 booster is safe, effective, and free. Individuals do not need an ID or health insurance to access a booster and do not need to show a vaccine card when getting a booster. Additional information on the COVID-booster, including FAQs, can be found at mass.gov/COVID19booster.
Massachusetts leads the nation in vaccine administration, with over 94% of adults having received at least one dose, and over 81% of the total population fully vaccinated, over 4.8 million individuals. Over 800,000 residents have received a COVID booster.
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SWANSEA — Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein, Public Health Nurse Emily Lachance and Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Eric Hajder wish to share the latest safety recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases within Swansea.
The Swansea Board of Health reports a 200% increase in COVID-19 cases within the community since July 14. Over the course of July 1 through July 14 there were nine confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 within the community. Since July 15, the number of COVID-19 cases has skyrocketed with there currently being 27 confirmed or probable cases.
“Over the past couple of weeks, the Town of Swansea has experienced a significant increase in COVID-19 cases,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “Out of an abundance of caution and in line with best health practices, we recommend that our residents wear face masks while indoors to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and its Delta variant.”
Residents who have not already done so are urged to get vaccinated. Doing so greatly reduces the risk of significant illness from COVID-19, including the Delta variant. To find a location where you can be vaccinated, visit vaxfinder.mass.gov.
Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein, Public Health Nurse Emily Lachance and Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Eric Hajder wish to share the latest safety recommendations and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases within Swansea.
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BOSTON – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration, Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts State Lottery announced the Massachusetts VaxMillions Giveaway for residents who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Fully vaccinated residents 18 and older will have the opportunity to enter to win of five, $1 million cash prizes. Fully vaccinated residents between 12-17 years of age may enter for the chance to win one of five $300,000 scholarship grants.
Note: The following is a press release from Gov. Baker’s office.
BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy and Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders to sign an Executive Order terminating the Commonwealth’s State of Emergency effective June 15, 2021. The Order also rescinds most COVID-19 restrictions, including limitations placed on businesses, as of tomorrow, May 29 as Massachusetts nears the goal of vaccinating four million residents. This week, the Commonwealth passed the 3.5 million mark for fully vaccinated residents.
“Today marks an important milestone in our fight against COVID-19 here in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Baker. “Over the last 15 months, the residents of Massachusetts have shown an incredible amount of strength and resiliency, and we are pleased to take this step forward towards a return to normal.”
“With restrictions ending tomorrow and continued progress towards our vaccination goal, Massachusetts is on a path towards renewing our economy and returning to normal,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We look forward to working with communities across the state to help them get their main streets and downtowns back up and running and for a sustained recovery ahead.”
Effective May 29, all industries will be permitted to open. With the exception of remaining face-covering requirements for masks in public and private transportation systems, hospitals and other facilities housing vulnerable populations, all industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. All gathering limits will also be rescinded.
To continue certain public health requirements, like requiring face coverings in certain settings, to remain effective past June 15, Governor Baker today issued a modified declaration of a public health emergency under the public health statute.
Under this order, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Public Health will be proposing to the Public Health Council the continuation of some public health orders in the coming weeks to maintain flexibilities and policies for vaccination, testing and other critical operations.
Earlier this week, Governor Baker filed legislation to extend certain emergency measures currently in place via executive orders that are set to expire on June 15 with the end of the State of Emergency. The bill would extend measures providing for a temporary suspension of certain open meeting law requirements, special permits for expanded outside dining at restaurants, and surprise billing protections for COVID-19 patients.
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