Somerville Coronavirus Update: 250+ Cases, 2 More Deaths

SOMERVILLE, MA — The number of cases of the coronavirus in Somerville surpassed 200 over the weekend. There were 274 positive cases as of Tuesday, April 14, according to the latest numbers from the city.

Seventy-five people have recovered, and three have died, officials said Tuesday.

The city has face-covering order for everyone ages 2 and older when in any public establishment or common area of multi-unit housing or office buildings, in parks, on paths or in any shared community spaces. This includes a fabric mask, scarf or bandana over the mouth and nose.

More details and tips on how to safely use and make face coverings here (no sewing machine needed).

The start of street sweeping has been delayed to Monday, May 4 in order to prevent residents from having to move their cards during the stay-at-home advisory.

More updates on the coronavirus in Somerville:

- Internet Essential Deadline Extended: Income-eligible new customers now have until May 13 to sign up for Comcast’s Internet Essentials plan and get the first 60 days for free. After the first 60 days, the plan currently costs $9.95 per month. You can find out more and apply at internetessentials.com or by calling 1-855-846-8376. The Somerville Public Schools are working to sign up student families for six months free via a school/City-subsidized version of the program. Multi-lingual teams from the schools are reaching out to families to help them access this service.

- Grants for Businesses Making PPE: The State’s Manufacturing Emergency Response Team launched this week with $10.6 million in funding to help businesses shift their operations to produce personal protective equipment and other critical items. Business owners can find out more about eligibility, applying for funding, and the types of items being prioritized here.

- Weekly Business Town Halls: Each week Economic Development staff host a virtual town hall meeting where business owners can talk about and get more information on business impacts, available City and state resources, and plans for future action. The next one is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, and you can get more information and RSVP here. Business Town Halls are also being held in Spanish (date to come) and Portuguese (Wednesday, April, 15, 5 p.m.). See the full calendar at somervillema.gov/CovidBizHelp.

- New way to apply for the ~$1,200 Economic Impact Payment if you don't normally file a tax return:

All U.S. citizens and resident aliens who have a Social Security number, who are not claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer, and who had an adjusted gross income under certain limits are eligible to receive the Economic Impact Payment (for most individuals $1,200). Payments are being dispersed through information provided by taxpayers on their most recent return, but if you did not file a return because of your income or because you were otherwise not required to you can now enter your information on www.irs.gov/eip to receive your payment. Later this week you will also be able to check the status of your Economic Impact Payment on that website.

- Face mask safety tips:

The CDC now recommends that we wear masks or face coverings when we leave our homes, and last week Mayor Joe Curtatone issued an advisory that all Somerville residents do so. It’s important to follow safety guidelines around face coverings to protect yourself and others:

• Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for social distancing. Even with a mask on, staying 6 feet away from anyone who doesn’t live with you is still the best way to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19.
• Wash your hands with warm soap and water for 20 seconds before putting on a face covering and after taking it off.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when putting on and removing face coverings.
• You should wash your mask (in a normal washing machine is fine) based on the frequency that you use it. The more often you wear your mask the more frequently you should be washing it.

- Mayor Curtatone announces 311 COVID-19 Community Support Team: 311 expanded its service with the addition of the COVID-19 Community Support Team - a group of trained, expert volunteers who can provide support for COVID-19 related questions. They won’t be giving direct medical advice, but Community Support Team members can help with things like how to isolate or quarantine safely, navigating financial assistance, food access, submitting online requests for assistance, and finding additional resources or support. The Community Support Team is available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. by calling 3-1-1 (TTY 866-808-4851) or 617-666-3311 from outside the City. Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking operators are also available during regular business hours, and if someone calls 311 who speaks a language that 311 staff cannot speak, a third-party translation service will join the call.

- Update on Unemployment for Self-Employed, 1099 Workers: This week, the state announced that they will begin accepting unemployment applications from self-employed workers on April 30th. They have hired a vendor to create a web platform by that date to handle the applications. We know this period has been especially hard for our community’s many gig workers, artists, contract workers, freelancers, consultants, and other self-employed 1099 workers. We are monitoring this daily and posting updates at gov/CoronaVirusHelp. If you need support in the interim, CoronaVirusHelp also links to other resources.

- Between sanitizing park benches and deep-cleaning public facilities, DPW has still been filling potholes.

- What can I do if I feel unsafe in my home?

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Courts are closed except for emergencies, but Restraining Orders and Section 35 applications can be filed at the Somerville Police Department during regular court hours 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Emergency Restraining orders can also be filed in person at the Somerville Police Department any time outside of court hours. The Police Department is located at 220 Washington St., and you can call 617-625-1212 for more information.

There are many places you can get help if you’re experiencing physical, emotional, sexual, or other types of abuse. Resources include:

• RESPOND Inc. at 617-623-5900. RESPOND Inc. is a Somerville-based organization with a 24-hour crisis hotline. They can also provide local resources and referrals.
• The National Domestic Hotline is available 24 hours a day via phone at 1-800-799-7233, text by sending “LOVEIS” to 22522, TTY: 1-800-787-3224, and chat at thehotline.org. En Español
• The Crisis Text Line offers 24-hour access to crisis counselors. Text “CONNECT” to 741741.
• RAINN’s National Sexual Abuse Hotline is available by phone at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or live chat athotline.rain.org/online 24 hours a day.
• The Boston Rape Crisis Center operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-841-8371 and live chat support from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.