Thank You to Our Partners Who Strengthened Cambridge’s Fight Against COVID-19

With the State of Emergency ending on June 15, the City of Cambridge and the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) would like to thank all of the partners who have made the City’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic possible. For the past 16 months, City employees, healthcare providers, nonprofits, universities, community groups, faith-based organizations, residents, and businesses throughout Cambridge have come together to fight COVID-19, helping to keep people who live and work in Cambridge safe and supported.

We are grateful for these important collaborations and recognize that the names are too many to list, which speaks to the strength of our City. We want to name a few initiatives that would not have been possible without the strong collaboration and partnerships that emerged during the pandemic.

Providing free mobile COVID-19 testing, available 7 days/week for most of the pandemic, as well as targeted outreach to vulnerable populations such as residents in all skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, those experiencing homelessness, and people who lived in neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic. As of June 13, the City’s COVID-19 testing program has administered over 170,000 COVID-19 tests.

Administering COVID-19 vaccines via mobile vaccine clinics were held for people living in Cambridge senior housing, people who experience homelessness, students ages 12 to 17, and more isolated communities. Clinics open to the general public, regardless of ID or health insurance, were launched as soon as we had vaccines in hand, and continue to be in operation. As of June 13, 4,300 people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and over 6,500 people are now fully vaccinated by the City-run clinics.

• Helping residents locate and access food resources.
• Distributing face coverings to residents in need, as well as supporting requests from seniors and individuals with disabilities.
• Establishing two Temporary Emergency Shelters (War Memorial and Transition Wellness Center) for those experiencing homelessness.
• Communicating timely pandemic guidance and information.
• Supporting small business owners.
• Providing financial support to residents and others in need.

All of these crucial activities could not have been possible without the support and partnership of so many in the City. Our collective efforts have resulted in over 71% of our community having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, a test positivity rate of 0.09%, and an average of under 1 new case per day.

Because of our partnerships and engaged community, Cambridge is more resilient and has demonstrated that indeed, it takes a village to raise a healthy community.

Thank you!