The number of tested/confirmed cases in Chicopee: 7,227 *Total

^{(*Our City’s numbers do not reflect all that the State includes: the reason is some citizens no longer physically reside in Chicopee. They now reside in Non-Chicopee Assisted Living Facilities throughout the State but still hold a mailing address in Chicopee. For example – Holyoke Soldiers Home is the current home to six of our active cases but we do NOT include them in our numbers because they would not affect our population during this pandemic. 
We do, however, continue to check in with them and make sure they are taken care of.)}

COVID-19 Situational Updates 

The City of Chicopee has updates as the COVID-19 situation has warranted a centralized/increase in the distribution of information. These updates are intended to keep all informed of the actions being taken to reduce the impacts of Coronavirus on the community.

On Wednesday, December 15, 2021, the following City of Chicopee Departments have reported: 

Mayor’s Office

• The statewide numbers for infections continue to increase 
• The state had 4,039 new cases which is up from last week
• The state numbers indicated 61 new deaths yesterday which is an increase from last week
• The state had 1,410 cases in hospitals, with 304 in ICU which is up significantly compared to last week 
• The state seven day average positivity remains well above 4% and is high at 5.18% 
• Testing is continuing with 63,250 molecular tests reported which brings the cumulative tests to 34,780,586 tests  
• Vaccination opportunities are available to residents and we are at 60% vaccinated 
• The group of 20-40 year olds remain the largest group being infected based upon new cases
• We are encouraging vaccinations, along with washing hands, wearing a mask, staying home if you feel symptomatic, and distancing 
• Pfizer has developed a pill which is showing that, if taken within three days of symptoms, reduces the severity and risk of hospitalization by 89%
• The omnicron variant is less severe than other COVID variants, but is more infectious
• We have received 15,000 test kits from the state to distribute for use before the holidays.  This will allow people to self-administer a test before gathering with family members
• The group we are working with for PCR tests on Mondays will extend our testing on Mondays until March 2022
• We are also looking at self-administered tests from CIC

Health 

• City Case Counts
  1. There are 412 open cases 
  2. There are 31 deaths 
  3. 139 N/A 
  4. 6,645 recovered
  5. A total of 7,227  cases to date
• We are still averaging 30-40 cases a day
• We continue to encourage vaccines
• The Health Department has distributed self-test kits to the Council on Aging, Boys and Girls Club, Library, United Way Cupboard in the Center, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen, and the Chicopee Housing Authority
• The tests are for the Holidays to prevent spread of the virus among family members
• We have 30,000 tests.  There are two tests in a kit and 90 kits in a case.  The Health Department will restock the locations as needed
• The self-tests are not reportable to the Health Department so they will impair contact tracing.  The state numbers of cases and probable cases may be under-reported.   Hospitalizations and deaths will be accurate
• It is important to know your status for the holidays so you do not spread the virus to family members

Police Department

• We are stable on staffing with no active cases
• The one custodian has returned to work
• We are working with Safety to administer PCR test on Tuesday and Wednesdays next week and the week in between Christmas and New Years
• We may hand individuals a kit when they go through the testing site so they can test others they may have been in contact with or test afterwards if still symptomatic or the get a negative test when recovered
• Also the Police would like self-test cases delivered to the C-3 Unit and to the Willimansett sub-station

Fire Department

• Status quo on services with one firefighter returned and one new firefighter out with COVID
• The Fire Department will have personnel available to assist with testing at the Council on Aging site
• They agree with distributing test kits to those tested
• They are able to staff the site all six days

Emergency Management

• Status quo on staffing
• They will assist with testing through March on Mondays
• The grant for Emergency Management was approved and they will order equipment

Safety

• Status quo on staffing
• There were 97 tests administered on Monday and 16 tested positive for COVID
• Asked that a reverse 911 call be done to notify public of the additional testing days
• BayState Hospital network reported 111 COVID cases with 90 of those cases in Springfield
• We will working door monitors at the buildings after January 1^st
• They student numbers are increasing and we will look to have vaccine clinics at the schools

DPW

• Status quo on staffing and services

COA

• Status Quo on staffing and services
• They have already distributed a number of self-tests and may need some for meal distribution tomorrow as they have 650 meals ordered for pick-up
• They next vaccine clinic will be January 6th

Human Resources

• Status Quo on services
• The number of COVID leaves is increasing and a number are staying home to care for family members who are infected

Library

• Full staffing and services with no COVID cases reported 

Treasurer

• Status Quo

Messages from Mayor Vieau