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Covid-19 Information
Last Content Update:
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Respiratory Illness Update 9/27/23
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Information on current trends in respiratory illnesses:
COVID: COVID levels in our area are continuing to rise. County wastewater levels of COVID-19 have now reached their highest point since January. The latest Northampton effective virus concentration is 720,326 copies/L, which correlates to a CDC community transmission level of "substantial." For more information on the connection between wastewater levels and CDC community transmission levels, see this document. The current community risk level in Hampshire County remains "low" based on calculations from COVID Act Now. With the CDC no longer reporting community levels, we have moved to this scale because of the transparency of its calculations and its alignment with previous CDC levels.
With elevated COVID levels in our community, it's important to keep taking precautions, especially if you or someone in your household is at higher risk for severe disease. The best ways to avoid becoming ill and to protect our community are still the same: staying home if you're sick, getting all recommended vaccines, wearing a surgical or KN95 mask in crowded spaces, regularly washing hands, improving ventilation in indoor spaces (such as opening windows, and/or using HEPA or MERV13 filters), and following isolation and masking guidance if you do test positive.
More information on wastewater sampling can be found HERE and HERE.
More information on specific prevention measures can be found HERE.
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View COVID-19 Dashboard Archive
Questions about this page? Email healthdept@northamptonma.gov
Information Regarding the End of the Public Health Emergency
As many of you have probably heard, on May 11, 2023, the federal government ended the public health emergency and national emergency declarations. Here’s a short guide to what will change, and what’s staying the same.
● COVID vaccines will continue to be available for free until national and state stockpiles run out, likely later this summer or fall. After this point, COVID vaccines will probably have to go through insurance approval, similar to flu vaccines. Both Moderna and Pfizer have promised that uninsured and underinsured people will still be able to get vaccines for free through the companies’ patient assistance programs.
● Insurance companies are no longer required to cover over-the-counter COVID tests, but some may choose to continue to cover them. Laboratory COVID tests ordered by a provider will generally still be covered, but details should be confirmed with your specific plan
● If you are covered by Medicaid (Masshealth), you may be asked to prove that you still qualify for coverage. Make sure your address is up to date by calling 800-841-2900 and keep an eye out for mail regarding your coverage.
● The CDC has changed how they monitor COVID rates in the community, but information like wastewater testing and hospitalization numbers will still be available to help gauge your risk.
Although some things are changing, there is no difference in what you should do if you test positive or are exposed. If you test positive for COVID, you should isolate until day 5 after your positive test or first symptoms, then mask for days 6-10. If you are exposed to COVID you should mask for the next 10 days and get tested if you develop symptoms. Detailed information can be found here.
If the levels of COVID in the community do increase, consider wearing a mask in high risk environments for extra protection. Keeping up to date with your vaccines and practicing good hand hygiene are also simple ways to stay healthy and avoid illness. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions:
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All Northampton COVID-19 Orders/Press Releases
- City of Northampton Department of Health and Human Services Bivalent Booster Clinics Start Monday, September 13, 2022
- Additional COVID Vaccine Appointments for Babies and Young Children Available Now at Clinics - July 17, 2022 (PDF)
- Northampton Department of Health and Human Services Hosts Infant Car Seat Inspection Event - July 5, 2022 (PDF)
- City of Northampton Board of Health Issues Public Health Mask Advisory - May 31, 2022 (PDF)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots for 5- to 11-Year-Olds Potentially Available As Soon As Next week - May 17, 2022 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department is Accepting At-Home COVID Test Reports to Improve COVID-19 Surveillance - April 11, 2022 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department Schedules COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for Second Booster - April 7, 2022 (PDF)
- Northampton Board of Health Lifts City Mask Order Effective Immediately - March 11, 2022
- Northampton Health Department Announces Opening of New Weekly COVID Vaccine Clinic Located in Thornes Marketplace - March 1, 2022 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department Vaccine Clinic Offers Booster Vaccine with No Appointment Required - February 1, 2022 (PDF)
- COVID-19 Health Advisory Issued in Response to Unprecedented Surge in COVID-19 Cases - January 3rd, 2022 (PDF)
- Huge Spike in COVID-19 Cases Prompts the Northampton Board of Health to Ramp Up Testing, Urge Vaccination - December 17, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Board of Health Requires COVID-19 Vaccine for Northampton Senior Center - December 15, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Departments Ongoing Regional Vaccine Efforts are expanding to Elks Lodge in Florence - October 14, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Board of Health Expands Face Mask Order- August 26, 2021 (PDF)
- AMENDED FACE MASK ORDER- August 26, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department Issues Mask Order - August 9, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department Responds to Increase in COVID-19 Cases - July 23, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Board of Health Ends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Lifts All Emergency Restrictions Effective May 29, 2021 - May 25, 2021 (PDF)
- AMENDED: COVID-19 Mandatory Policies and Procedures for all Farmers’ Markets in Northampton - April 1, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Board of Health Issues Amended Order Maintaining Limits on Performance Venues, Event Venues and Gatherings - April 1, 2021 (PDF)
- Northampton Health Department Lifts Sports Restrictions - February 28, 2021 (PDF)
- AMENDED FACE MASK ORDER - April 16, 2021 (PDF)
- City of Northampton Recommends Halloween Safety Guidelines - October 2, 2020 (PDF)
- AMENDED - COVID-19 Mandatory Policies and Procedures for Wearing Masks or Other Face Coverings in Businesses Providing Essential Services in the City of Northampton - May 11, 2020 (PDF)
- COVID-19 Mandatory Policies and Procedures for Wearing Masks or Other Face Coverings in Businesses Providing Essential Services in the City of Northampton - April 14, 2020 (PDF)
- Order Regulating Grocery Stores, Supermarkets, and Convenience Stores - April 7, 2020 (PDF)
- Order Prohibiting Self Service of Food and Beverages - March 28, 2020 (PDF)
- THIS ORDER HAS BEEN AMENDED TO EXCLUDE HAIRDRESSERS AND BARBERS - Emergency Order Regarding Operation of Certain Businesses in the City of Northampton - March 23, 2020 (PDF)