WESTFIELD- After multiple weeks of increased numbers of new COVID-19 cases in Westfield, the number of new weekly cases fell to just four this week as the rest of the country continues to set records for high daily new cases.
Westfield’s total number of COVID-19 infections now stands at 475. The previous three weeks had seen a slight bump in the number of new infections going from six, 10, and 13 new cases in that order. Westfield Health Director Joseph Rouse said Friday afternoon that there were eight active cases in the city.
Despite the low number of new infections, Westfield recorded one more death due to COVID-19 on July 15, bringing the total number of deaths to 55 people in the city.
In Southwick there were just two new cases, bringing the total to 63 in the town. Four people are currently quarantining due to contact with the two new cases.
Although new cases were recorded, there is just one confirmed active COVID case in Southwick, a 77-year-old woman who has been critically ill in the hospital for several weeks. Public Health Nurse Kate Johnson said during Thursday evening’s remote Board of Health meeting that it is likely that the woman contracted COVID from someone who came to her home.
With just 63 total cases in the town, Board of Health members said they were happy with the town’s response, but warned people not to let their guard down.
“Despite Southwick’s good record so far, we have to remain vigilant,” said Board of Health Chair Dr. Jerry Azia.
Johnson pointed out that by her observations, just about everyone in Southwick has been complying with the mask mandate and has been following social distancing guidelines.
Massachusetts as a whole has remained as one of the only states without an increasing infection rate. This is despite starting the pandemic as one of the hardest hit states and average more than 3,000 cases per day.
On July 16, the U.S. recorded more than 75,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, the largest known single-day jump by any country since the pandemic began.
