Town Of Northborough Coronavirus Weekly Update For February 19

Press release from the Town of Northborough:

February 20, 2021

The Town of Northborough's COVID-19 Community Risk level is Moderate (Yellow). According to the State's Weekly Public Health Report released on 2/18, there were 51 new cases over the last two-week period (1/31/2021-2/13/2021), bringing the total case count in town since the pandemic began to 1042 as of 2/16/2021 at 11:59pm. For additional information and resources visit the town's dedicated Covid-19 webpage

Town of Northborough Vaccination Clinic - Update

Unfortunately, due to a delivery delay, The Town was not able to hold a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on Friday February 19, 2021. Once the shipment is received, the next clinic will be scheduled and notice sent out. We are still only able to obtain 100 doses per week, so capacity remains limited. The State has notified us that as of March 1st we will no longer be able to obtain vaccine for the town run clinic. We strongly encourage residents to take advantage of other clinics in the area, see below.

Please note, previously scheduled second dose appointments are not impacted by this change. Some of you may have read or heard on the news that the state is no longer providing first doses to individual municipal clinics effective the week of March 1st. This does not effect our local second dose clinic. If you have a scheduled appointment at the Senior Center for your second dose, no action is required.

Massachusetts Announces Second Step of Phase 2 Beginning February 18th

Those eligible to schedule vaccination appointments beginning on Thursday 2/18/2021 are:

• People Age 65 and older
• Low Income and Affordable Senior Housing Residents
• People with Certain Medical Conditions

How to Locate and Register for Covid-19 Vaccination Clinics

To search for a vaccination location by zip code: https://vaxfinder.mass.gov

You may also search using this privately developed vaccine locator website: www.macovidvaccines.com

Call 211 Individuals without access to the internet or who are unable to schedule their appointment online can call 211 for assistance. The COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line is a dedicated telephone line available to assist residents. Call center workers will have the same access to appointments that users will see on the public website. Dial 211 and select the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” The call center is staffed:

• Monday to Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

All sites require appointments. Check back frequently as more appointments will open and more sites will be added. Individuals can be vaccinated either by a health care provider, pharmacy, mass vaccination site, or local public health clinic.

Do you need help making a COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment?

For those who struggle with the online registration process, family and friends may complete the registration for you. Make sure you have your health insurance card available when registering. Also, staff at the Senior Center (508-393-5035) and Health Department (508-393-5009) are available to assist residents if technology is an issue.

Do you need Transportation or are you Housebound?

Please contact the Senior Center 508-393-5035 to arrange for transportation on the senior center bus to the Northborough clinic, or for any vaccination appointment in Marlborough, Westborough, Shrewsbury, Worcester, Boylston, or Southborough. If you are housebound and wish to receive the vaccine, contact the Senior Center for assistance.

Vaccine Safety

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and free. Massachusetts launched a new website with information on vaccine safety. Visit "COVID-19 VACCINE SAFETY: TRUST THE FACTS".

For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccine visit www.mass.gov/vaccine

This press release was produced by the Town of Northborough. The views expressed here are the author’s own.