Cambridge Public Health Department Reports Rise in COVID-19 Infections After Thanksgiving Holiday

Since Thanksgiving, Cambridge has seen an increase in COVID-19 illness in the community and in the public schools. Confirmed cases and hospitalizations have also been rising in Middlesex County over the past week, causing the county’s COVID-19 community level designation from the CDC to move from “low” to “moderate.”

Greater Boston area communities have also experienced an increase in COVID-19 particles in wastewater since the holiday. This is the first sharp rise in COVID-19 viral levels in regional wastewater since October. An increase in viral particles in wastewater is often an early indicator of new infections in the community.

“We’re not surprised that there are more COVID-19 infections after the holiday, but it's too soon to tell if we’re headed into a winter surge, “ said Derrick Neal, the city’s Chief Public Health Officer. “Our health department is paying close attention to the situation and will keep the community informed if the upward trend continues.”

Mr. Neal added that flu season arrived early in Massachusetts, and that residents can take some simple actions to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses.

To stay healthy this winter, the Cambridge Public Health Department encourages residents to:

• Stay up-to-date on COVID vaccinations and boosters, including the bivalent booster that became available in September.
• Get your flu shot.
• Stay home if you are sick. If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your doctor or nurse about treatments.
• Choose larger, well-ventilated spaces for social gatherings.
• Consider masking up indoors, especially when in crowded or poorly ventilated places.
• Wash hands frequently, cover coughs, and clean “high touch” surfaces.