WESTFIELD- The rate of coronavirus spread in Westfield continues to slow down after a couple of weeks of slightly elevated growth.
The city recorded just five new cases of COVID-19 in the past week, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 482 as of Friday afternoon. This is the lowest weekly number of new cases in more than a month in Westfield. Health Director Joseph Rouse said that there are eight active cases in the city.
Fifty-five Westfield residents have died due to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Town of Southwick had not released its weekly report on the number of new COVID-19 cases as of press time Friday afternoon. The town’s most recent report is from Friday, July 17 when there were two additional COVID cases over the previous week, which brought the total to 63.
The lower weekly case numbers come as Gov. Charlie D. Baker announced Friday that visitors to Massachusetts from most other states would be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival. Otherwise one must self-quarantine for 14 days or risk a $500 fine for each day of violation.
Exceptions to Gov. Baker’s rule include every New England state as well as New York.
