COVID-19 Community Level is HIGH in Cambridge and Middlesex County

May 6, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the COVID-19 Community Level for all of Middlesex County to HIGH on May 5. 

The Cambridge Public Health Department strongly recommends that residents wear a mask indoors when outside the home. The CDC recommends several prevention measures when COVID-19 community levels reach HIGH:

• Wear a mask indoors in public settings.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.
• Stay home if sick or recently exposed. 

People at higher risk for serious illness should consider additional precautions. Higher risk groups include people age 65 and older, people with certain medical conditions, and people who are immunocompromised. You are also at higher risk if you are not fully vaccinated and boosted.   For more information on CDC COVID-19 Community Levels and recommended precautions, visit the CDC website. 

COVID-19 Testing
Cambridge offers free PCR testing 7 days a week. To make an appointment or learn about our walk-in option, visit www.cambridgema.gov/testing. Residents can order free rapid home tests from the federal government at https://www.covid.gov/tests. All insurers—including MassHealth—are required to cover up to eight rapid tests per month for each individual. Test kits are also available for purchase at most pharmacies.   

Vaccines and Boosters
Vaccines and booster shots significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19.  They are widely available in Cambridge and are offered:

• By appointment at most pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, and Inman Pharmacy.
• By appointment on Wednesday afternoons at the Cambridge Public Health Department on Windsor Street: https://bit.ly/Camb-Color.  
• By appointment or walk-in at the CHA Vaccination Center in Somerville through May 20, 2022.

You can also search by zip code for additional vaccination sites: https://vaxfinder.mass.gov.