SOUTHWICK/WESTFIELD- The Town of Southwick and City of Westfield both continued the trend of low new case counts for COVID-19 this week.
Southwick had just two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the last week, a slight increase from zero cases the week before, but not enough to be statistically significant. The total number of cases in Southwick over the course of the pandemic now stands at 54. Thirty-seven people were tested in Southwick over the last week.
Westfield had just one new case, bringing the total to 437.
The continued drop in new cases comes as phase two of Gov. Charlie D. Baker’s four phased reopening plan for the state approaches. Baker is expected to announce the date in which phase two can start on Saturday, June 6.
Phase two is expected to allow retail stores, restaurants for outdoor dining, hotels, day camps, nail salons, and some youth sports to come back under certain guidelines.
Southwick Health Director Tammy Spencer said that the Select Board, Police Department, Fire Departments, Building Department, and Health Department have been working together to license and inspect restaurants with alcohol licenses in the town who have made alterations to accommodate outdoor dining services for phase two.
Spencer said that there is a general concern among Hampden County health officials about a resurgence in COVID-19 cases due to the ongoing protests, riots, and general unrest happening locally and across the country, but no concern for Southwick specifically.
Westfield Police Chief Lawrence P. Valliere said of the local protests that he was pleased to have seen just about everybody wearing a face mask, but he did note that there was little social distancing happening.
“COVID is still here. Just because there is another more prominent topic happening, it does not mean we can get away from it,” said Valliere.
