SOUTHWICK- For the first time since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Southwick, the Health Department announced that it has been more than a week since a new case has been confirmed in town.
The lack of cases is a continuing trend that health officials are hoping keeps up as Gov. Charlie D. Baker’s reopening plan continues to unfold for the state. In the previous week, Southwick had just three new confirmed cases. In the week before that, there was only one.
Health Director Tammy Spencer said that 29 Southwick residents were tested for COVID-19 this week. The total number of confirmed cases remains at 53 with just two deaths.
Because of the lack of new cases in Southwick, the Board of Health opted to cancel its remote meeting May 28. The board has been hosting meetings weekly, far more frequently than normal, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The City of Westfield has also held a streak of low case numbers, with several days in a row of zero new confirmed cases in the past week. As of Friday afternoon, the number of confirmed cases in Westfield stands at 436 with 53 deaths.
Last week, Westfield had a total of 17 new confirmed cases, with no single day having more than three new cases. Westfield Emergency Management Director Jim Wiggs said that it was a good sign, and that he is not concerned about a spike in cases as certain businesses begin to reopen.
“I’m not overly concerned (about a spike) if people follow the guidelines. Now that it is warmer as well the virus won’t be as active,” said Wiggs May 22.
The streaks of no new cases comes as some businesses in the state were allowed to reopen per Gov. Baker’s reopening plan. Dog groomers, hair salons, car washes, and some office spaces were allowed to reopen under strict conditions for minding social distancing and limiting the number of people in a confined space.
