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Date: 11/9/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Ahead of the active holiday season, Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris provided an overview on the ongoing status of the coronavirus pandemic during an Oct. 28 COVID-19 Response Subcommittee meeting.
Currently, Springfield is experiencing a decrease in COVID-19 cases – lowering from 322 cases on the week of Oct. 20 to 192 cases on the week of Oct. 28. However, Caulton-Harris expects case numbers to increase as the holidays approach.
“Our data is showing us that in our city, our numbers are trending down. I do not expect that is going to continue,” said Caulton-Harris.
Additionally, Caulton-Harris revealed that Baystate Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Keroack reported an increase of hospitalization in recent weeks. Caulton-Harris credited the change to a rise in COVID-19 cases for the 51 and older populous.
“For the first time in a long time, we’re seeing an age shift … the 51 and older group, that used to be the lowest group of COVID-19 positive cases, is now the highest group,” said Caulton-Harris, who revealed that the 51 and over population accounted for 48 percent of COVID-19 cases on the week of Oct. 20.
Caulton-Harris noted another demographic change – with the white population now constituting the most COVID-19 cases with 49 percent as of the week of Oct. 20. She did not cite one specific reason for the change, but noted that the city’s efforts to promote vaccinations to underrepresented communities could be a factor.
“I’m watching a shift in some of the data that is trending a little differently than we were accustomed to in the past,” said Caulton-Harris.
Case numbers are gathered by the Department of Health and Human Services via the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Home testing results are not factored in the COVID-19 case database.
COVID-19 cases are coinciding with the arrival of flu season. Caulton-Harris predicts that this year’s flu season could be more active than usual.
“This is expected to be a year where the flu is going to be raging on some levels … I anticipate between flu and COVID[-19], it could be the reason hospitalizations are increasing,” said Caulton-Harris.
Caulton-Harris also highlighted the Department of Health and Human Service’s continued vaccination advocacy. The department hosts a weekly COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at their 311 State St. office. Caulton-Harris expects the department to schedule additional COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics throughout the coming weeks.
COVID-19 vaccines and flu vaccines continue to be made available at local pharmacies, such as CVS and Walgreens. Each of these entities possess the new COVID-19 booster shot, which provides increased protection against newer variants like omicron.
The Department of Health and Human Services additionally distributes COVID-19 test kits and N-95 face masks from their office.
Vaccination efforts will be spotlighted via incentivized programs. Caulton-Harris said the state is sending $75 gift cards that will be distributed to patrons who attend the department’s various vaccination clinics.
“Incentives are still going to be a part of what we do … giving the gift cards has been an effective strategy,” said Caulton-Harris.
Members of the City Council aired a series of questions about the city’s COVID-19 data availability and the arrival of a new COVID-19 variant – the BA.5 omicron variant. Caulton-Harris stressed that the city will work to update the website’s data while also sharing that the new COVID-19 booster is effective against the BA.5.
City Council President Jesse Lederman mentioned the arrival of the XBB COVID-19 variant. Lederman and Caulton-Harris expect more discussion to be centered on this variant as more information comes out about its potency.
Caulton-Harris concluded the meeting by imploring eligible residents to receive the new COVID-19 booster shot. She expects the new booster to become an annual vaccine similar to the flu vaccine.
Readers can learn more about the Health and Human Service Department updates at https://www.springfield-ma.gov/hhs/.