Norwood’s COVID Cases, Percent Positivity Dropping; Vaccines Rolling Out Slowly
Mar 05, 2021 01:45PM ● By Liz Taurasi
Norwood is seeing some good trends in the fight against COVID-19 with cases decreasing and the percent positive rate also going down, according to General Manager Tony Mazzucco in his weekly update to residents on Feb. 5. Yet on the vaccination front, things are going at a much slower pace than expected.
Each week, Mazzucco updates residents on the town’s ongoing response to the pandemic through Facebook Live on the Town of Norwood’s Facebook page.
As of Feb. 5, Mazzucco said there was some positivity which he said was a good thing.
“Overall our numbers are looking good,” Mazzucco said. “Testing is up, total cases are down. The percent positive rate is down.”
Norwood’s total case count for the 14 days prior to Feb. 5 was 284, and the average daily rate is around 67, which puts the town’s percent positive rate for those two weeks at 6.3%.
“What’s particularly good about that 6.3% positivity rate is it’s the fourth week in a row it’s been below 7%,” Mazzucco said. “For four weeks in a row we’ve had a positivity rate below 7% and we’d like to continue to see that decline.”
Mazzucco highlighted what he called two interesting data points while looking at those current numbers: the testing rate and total cases.
For the 14 days prior to the Feb. 5 update, 5,100 residents were tested, bringing the total number of Norwood residents tested over the past year to just over 50,000.
“That is absolutely incredible for the amount of testing going on in Norwood,” Mazzucco said. “Obviously some had multiple tests … 50,000 tests, that’s about a test and a half for every resident in Norwood. It shows we still have a very heavy, very aggressive testing program both locally and throughout the state. The fact we did so many tests and the positivity rate went down is an indication the data is much more valid. We are very happy to see that.”
Mazzucco noted he is seeing as we head into the first winter with COVID that the type of activity doesn’t make a difference. He said right now we are seeing businesses slowly reopening, as well as the governor changing business practices and increasing capacity limits, but it’s the time of year that’s been most beneficial.
On Monday, Feb. 8, Governor Charlie Baker increased the 25% capacity limits for restaurants, gyms and other businesses to 40% following recent virus declines in hospitalizations and case counts statewide.
“Things like snowstorms actually help stop the spread of COVID because people are actually home that day. Indoor activities are generally more risky than outdoor activities. We think right now there are a lot less indoor activities available.
Mazzucco urged residents to continue to have good practices: avoid large gatherings, reduce gatherings if you happen to be out with other people, continue to wear masks and stay home if you are sick.
Vaccinations Off to a Slow Start
Vaccinations are happening at a much slower pace than expected on the local level, Mazzucco told residents.
“We are still frustrated at the local level with the overall rollout of the vaccine,” Mazzucco said. “It’s a federal program and the state’s command center is not relying as much on local public health as we would prefer.”
On the local level, Norwood is still limited to 100 doses per week from the state. At his Feb. 5 update, Mazzucco stated the town has conducted 280 doses with 70 more scheduled the week following his update and 110 second doses the next week.
He also addressed the issue with the difficulties local seniors are having trying to schedule appointments on the state website. For those living in Norwood and having trouble registering online and working their way through the system, Mazzucco said residents can call the senior center and their staff can help them through the process.
Additionally, if residents don’t want to wait for vaccination appointments in town, appointments are available at Gillette Stadium. Residents needing help with registering for these appointments can dial 211 and get help through the state in scheduling appointments.
“It’s a long march for the vaccine and it’s going to take time,” the Norwood Town Manager said
Mazzucco also addressed questions he’s received from residents as to why vaccinations aren’t being offered at the senior center or the civic center rather than town hall. The reason is the fragility of the vaccine and how once it’s defrosted it’s very susceptible to breakage or damage and they don't want to take the risk by moving it to another location. But as the town gets more doses and clinics expand they’ll be able to look at using the senior center, the high school, and/or the civic center for vaccinations.
As for when teachers will be vaccinated, he said he expected to be doing it sooner than what’s expected.
“The day we get 500 doses we can do the school department in a day,” he said. “We’re just anxiously awaiting these.”
Mazzucco stressed the importance that everyone takes the opportunity to get vaccinated when it’s their turn and be sure to get their second dose of the vaccine.
“One of the challenges we are starting to see is that you’re going to need to go back for that second dose,” Mazzucco said. “Pay attention to it. Bring your card — consider it your civic duty, your role to play in the battle we as a community and as a country are facing with COVID. We need everyone to be hypersensitive to go get that second shot, bring that card, get it, and get it on time.”
