Sunderland is the only town in Franklin County in the state’s “red” or highest-risk category this week, reporting 30 new positive COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, and it appears that is likely because of the recent surge of 552 cases at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Many students who attend UMass live in the housing complexes in Sunderland, and Board of Health Chair Caitlyn Rock said this week she believes the majority of the 30 cases are from UMass. In response to the surge, the Board of Health voted Monday in support of implementing an emergency order that sets a 25 percent capacity limit on businesses and requires they close by 9:30 p.m.
Only two of the county’s towns are in the “yellow” or higher-risk category based on the Department of Public Health’s figures: Greenfield with 34 new positive COVID-19 cases reported over the past two weeks, and Montague with 23 new cases. Two others are in the “green” or lower-risk category with Deerfield reporting 14 new cases and Orange with 11.
The other 21 towns are in the “gray” or lowest-risk category, with seven towns reporting zero cases and all others reporting fewer than five cases. The towns reporting zero are Ashfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Heath, Monroe, Rowe and Shelburne.
In Worcester County, Athol reported 36 new cases, placing it in the “yellow” category, while Phillipston reported seven cases and Petersham and Royalston each reported fewer than five cases, placing all three in the “gray.”
Three nursing homes throughout Franklin County, along with Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol, reported no current COVID-19 cases among their residents or staff, who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in January and have either received the second dose or will be very soon. Two facilities reported one positive case each.
The nursing homes, with the exception of the Farren Care Center on Montague City Road in Turners Falls were hit hard during the pandemic. The Farren has reported it has had between “one and 10” cases since the pandemic began and there have been no COVID-19-related deaths, but there are currently no new cases.
Buckley HealthCare Center on Laurel Street in Greenfield reports a total of 26 deaths since March of 2020, and there is currently one resident who tested positive for COVID-19. Charlene Manor Extended Care on Colrain Road in Greenfield reports no positive cases as of Thursday, as does Poet’s Seat Health Care Center on High Street in Greenfield. Since the pandemic began, the two have reported 21 and 20 deaths, respectively.
Quabbin Valley Healthcare on Daniel Shays Highway in Athol reported no positive cases or deaths until December, when it started to see its first cases. It currently reports that one staff members has tested positive. No residents are reported to be positive for COVID-19, but since late last year, the facility has reported 15 deaths.
The state is in the second of three vaccination phases, currently focusing on people who are 75 years old or older. Caregivers who accompany someone in that population are also eligible for a vaccine. Both must schedule an appointment at the clinic of their choice. More people will become eligible over the next few months.
There are many places to schedule a vaccine appointment, though the vaccine supply is limited, but according to the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG), availability will increase over the upcoming weeks.
Anyone who is able to travel is encouraged to schedule an appointment at the larger vaccination sites like UMass Amherst and Eastfield Mall in Springfield. Pharmacies in Greenfield, like CVS and Big Y, are accepting appointments through their websites. Big Y opened its clinic in the former Mattress Firm store next to its supermarket on the Mohawk Trail this week.
Doctors’ offices and health centers are providing the vaccine to their eligible patients, though they are calling patients to schedule appointments as opposed to having patients call in.
Greenfield has reopened its vaccine clinic at the John Zon Community Center on Pleasant Street. Eligible people must have an appointment to be vaccinated. Other local clinics will alternate between Bernardston, Deerfield, Montague and Shelburne. Those sites and locations might change based on vaccine availability. Times, dates, locations and availability of appointments can be found at bit.ly/3agcrD2.
“The process at John Zon is a mirror image of last month,” Greenfield Interim Health Director Jennifer Hoffman said. “Everything went smoothly the first time when we vaccinated essential personnel, and we expect that to continue. The first clinic was very successful, and we’re all working hard together to make sure Phase 2 is as well.”
To register to receive a vaccine in Greenfield, call 413-775-6411. All voicemails will be answered. The clinic will be open Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the week ahead. To register online, visit bit.ly/3peKM9W and click on the date you wish to schedule an appointment next week. Other dates and times will be added as they become available.
A regularly updated message about vaccine availability is available by calling FRCOG at 413-774-3167, ext. 153. For help scheduling an appointment, arranging transportation or if you are homebound, call LifePath at 413-829-9285.
Testing continues at the state’s Stop the Spread site at Greenfield Community College. People who do not show symptoms but would like to be tested for COVID-19 can do so there. Sign up for a self-administered test at bit.ly/2MgITMr.
Community Health Center of Franklin County is testing asymptomatic people on Tuesdays in Greenfield and Fridays in Orange. For more information, visit chcfc.org/testing.
Valley Medical Group in Greenfield offers testing by appointment only for its patients for any reason Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 413-774 6301 for an appointment.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center also does daily testing for people, symptomatic or asymptomatic, with a doctor’s referral. Visit bit.ly/36nfsPP or call 413-795-TEST (8378) to make an appointment.
UMass Amherst’s COVID-19 testing site is free for people who are asymptomatic. To sign up for a test, visit bit.ly/2MCCZVK.
Hospitalizations remained steady over the past week, with Baystate Health reporting 107 people hospitalized throughout its system. Twelve patients were in critical care as of Friday, and three people were hospitalized at Baystate Franklin in Greenfield with COVID-19-confirmed cases. The hospital system does not report in which towns and cities those people reside.
Reach Anita Fritz at 413-772-9591 or afritz@recorder.com.