On November 6, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released updated metrics for communities that adjust for a municipality's population size. The new metrics incorporate cases per 100,000 residents and the test positivity rate when determining a color designation. 

Join us for a webinar Friday November 20, 2020 from 12:30-1:30pm as we go over changes to Massachusetts’ community risk categorization metrics. We’ll be joined by Western Massachusetts legislative and public health leaders as we discuss how the metrics have changed, how they are being used, and questions that have arisen.

Visit our Western MA COVID-19 Data Dashboard for the latest regional COVID-19 data. Our dashboard is updated every Friday.

Join us on Tuesday November 24, 2020 from 4:00-5:00 pm for a Town Hall to hear the latest on COVID-19 and how you can keep yourself and your family safe. We'll share the latest on the best ways to prevent the spread during the holidays. We will respond to your questions about what really works to keep people safe.

The Live Well Springfield Go-Fresh Emergency Produce distribution program, which began as a response to the pandemic in April, ended in October after distributing over 5,000 boxes of fresh produce in 27 weeks. Our work started with five partner sites in April of this year, growing to engage 15 community partners from senior housing, health care and community-based organizations. By the end of the 27-week project, there were 16 site locations serving older adults and families in Springfield. The program was initially designed to provide fresh produce to older adults, who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19. 

Through the many helping hands of the 15 site coordinators, Mass Senior Action volunteers, and distribution partner Wellspring Harvest, we collectively distributed 300 social isolation care packages, 900 PPE supplies, and 627 holiday pumpkins.

One community resident shared the feeling of gratitude to have the boxes each week, “These boxes are truly a blessing and allow me to get creative with my meal planning.”

Congratulations to all of the Healthcare Heroes in our region recognized by BusinessWest for 2020. Each of these institutions and individuals deserve this attention.  Besides the normal day-to-day work of caring for people (not to mention the backdrop of the current pandemic), healthcare institutions have taken on new innovation models through the Medicare and Medicaid ACOs, integrating Behavioral Health, building telemedicine infrastructure and expanding their understanding and ability to link with community services to address factors that influence health within households, neighborhoods and communities at large.

We particularly applaud Dr. Keroack, CEO of Baystate Health, for his leadership in acknowledging "racism as a virus" and calling out the need to address it, together. Racism is linked to our health, and research has long established the connection between ongoing centuries of racism and premature death and morbidity among some groups of people.

Thank you Dr. Keroack for being a steady voice through it all!​

A recent MassLive article shares Baystate Health president and CEO Mark A. Keroack’s advice on how to have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving amid the pandemic:

Dr. Keroack compared thanksgiving gatherings to driving in a blizzard. You can take steps to minimize the risk, like driving slower and keep a greater distance between cars, but “There’s not a way to drive in a blizzard totally risk free”. So while there are no guarantees, practicing basic prevention tips will help minimize your risk: wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain distance from others, and stay home if you feel sick.