Covid-19 risk remains ‘high’ in 4 communities tracking virus 

CITY OF GREENFIELD

CITY OF GREENFIELD CITY OF GREENFIELD

STAFF REPORT

Published: 12-18-2023 10:59 AM

The COVID-19 transmission risk remains “high” in the four communities in the Contact Tracing Collaborative, which consists of Greenfield, Deerfield, Montague and Sunderland.

Wastewater testing results showed there were 1.1 million copies of the virus per liter of wastewater the week of Dec. 10-16 compared to 1.25 million copies per liter the week before, according to the collaborative. The four towns are among the western Massachusetts communities to participate in a testing program to track the concentration of COVID-19 in the wastewater system, as people with an active infection excrete the virus in their stool.

Cluster infections (of three or more people at one site) have increased from five to seven, and the positivity rate has increased from 7.47% to 8.53%. Hospitalizations and case incidence have also increased.

Free at-home tests are available at the Greenfield Health Department at 20 Sanderson St., according to Public Health Nurse Meg Tudryn.

In Greenfield, COVID-19 booster vaccinations, which aim to reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms, are available at CVS Pharmacy on Federal Street, Big Y on Mohawk Trail, Rite Aid on Main Street, Stop & Shop on French King Highway, and Walgreens on Pierce Street.

In combination with wastewater testing, the four municipalities factor in hospitalization numbers, positivity rates and case numbers to determine COVID-19 risk levels. The following three zones, defined by the Contact Tracing Collaborative, are used to gauge risk levels of COVID-19 transmission locally. For the risk level to change, at least two measures need to apply.

Red zone: High COVID-19 risk

Masking recommended.

■Cluster infections (of three or more people at one site): five or more.

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■Percent positive tests out of total tests performed: greater than 10%.

■Hospitalizations: five or more.

■Increase in case trend.

■Increase in wastewater trend.

Yellow zone: Moderate COVID-19 risk

Masking encouraged.

■One to four cluster infections.

■Stable positive testing.

■Fewer than five hospitalizations.

■Stable case incidence.

■Stable wastewater.

Green zone: Low to minimal COVID-19 risk

Masking optional.

■No cluster infections.

■Decrease in positive tests.

■Decrease in hospitalizations.

■Decrease in case incidence.

■Decreased virus copies in wastewater.