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Date: 2/9/2022
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Now that gatherings for the holiday season have come and gone, Jeanne Galloway, director of public health in West Springfield, has noticed a decrease in positive COVID-19 cases.
About a month ago, Galloway said the town had 50 to 60 positive cases emerging daily. Now, she said, “Cases are dropping, [although still] a fair number a day.”
As health officials anticipated before the post-holiday surge, Galloway said, “We seem to have hit the peak.”
During their Jan. 19 meeting, Board of Health members decided against re-enacting a mask mandate in response to the omicron variant, similar to the one in place during the delta variant surge last summer.
“We still encourage people to wear masks,” said Galloway, in addition to applying proper health and safety measures such as social distancing.
COVID-19 testing
In December, the town of West Springfield received 5,300 two-packs of at-home test COVID-19 kits, and distributed them to low-income residents. After receiving this shipment, Galloway said the town will not be receiving any more, though a federal program allows people to sign up online to receive at-home tests by mail.
Nonetheless, Galloway acknowledged the decrease in “need” for at-home test-kits. About a month ago, people struggled to locate kits at retailers, whereas now, they’re more readily available in local pharmacies and other shops.
Galloway predicts this is due to a lessened demand for tests, now that the large gatherings of the holiday season are past.
Large drive-through testing sites, such as the one at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, have also seen shorter car lines, said Galloway.
On Feb. 2, Tim Connor, superintendent of West Springfield schools, sent an email to parents announcing that the schools would participate in the state’s new weekly at-home testing program for students and staff. He did not reply to requests for comment by press time.
Vaccine clinics
A vaccine clinic took place this past weekend at the Council on Aging. Galloway said people over the age of 5 were able to obtain the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
Although there is currently no vaccine available for children under 5, Galloway believes they will have one within the month.
For those wishing to get either vaccine, Galloway said they are available at local pharmacies. She encourages everyone who can get vaccinated to do so.