March 29, 2020
The Cambridge Public Health Department announced today the first death of a city resident due to complications from COVID-19. The resident, a male in his 80s, had been hospitalized with COVID-19.
“On behalf of the entire city, we express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the resident who passed away as a result of this illness,” said Claude Jacob, the city’s Chief Public Health Officer and Director of the Cambridge Public Health Department.
A total of 70 Cambridge residents and 4,955 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for COVID-19, as of March 29. Statewide, 48 Massachusetts residents have died from the disease, as of March 29.
The potential public health threat posed by COVID-19 remains high in the city, state, and nation. The number of Cambridge and Massachusetts residents infected with COVID-19 continues to rise due to widespread community transmission of the coronavirus and increased testing. Widespread community transmission means that people are contracting the illness, but the specific source of the infection is unknown.
Because the coronavirus is circulating widely in the community, all Cambridge residents should consider themselves at risk for infection. To help protect the health of loved ones and health care workers, the health department strongly urges residents to:
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Maintain a safe separation of at least 6 feet from people not in your household.
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Cancel in-person social gatherings and children’s play dates, even those with just a few people.
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Avoid crowds of any size.
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Refrain from shaking hands, high fives, and hugs.
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Avoid close contact with those who are sick.
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Visit grocery stores and pharmacies less frequently and when they are less crowded.
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Limit unnecessary travel.
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