SOUTHWICK- The Health Department reported nine new COVID-19 cases this week to bring Southwick’s pandemic total to 481 cases.
Public Health Nurse Kate Johnson said Thursday, March 4 during the remote Board of Health meeting that the percent-positivity rating rose slightly to 3.05 percent, but that the town remains below the Hampden County average of 4.02 percent.
She said that in the month of March so far, Southwick has had just five reported cases with one 94-year-old resident having been hospitalized due to COVID-19.
The total of 481 cases is data provided by the state. Johnson said there has been an ongoing discrepancy between the state’s numbers and her own count. She said the real total is 510 confirmed cases.
“I know who I talk to. I know the numbers and they’ve always been a little off,” said Johnson.
She said most of the positive cases have been within a few households in which multiple family members end up infected. She also pointed out that the number of administered COVID-19 tests has decreased since the end of January.
