COVID-19 Updates
Note: Both the federal and state COVID-19 Public Health Emergencies (PHE) have ended as of May 11, 2023.
For additional information and resources related to COVID, please check out the following website links:
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) main page: https://www.mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 main page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
New as of 3/1/24 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Respiratory Virus Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html
World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 main page: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Massachusetts COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance:
- New as of 3/25/24 - Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for the General Public: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/staying-home-to-prevent-the-spread-of-respiratory-viruses
- New as of 3/25/24 - Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Guidance for Schools and Childcare Settings:
- Schools and childcare settings should follow the recommendations for the general population: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/staying-home-to-prevent-the-spread-of-respiratory-viruses. Recognize that young children may not always be able to wear a mask effectively. Children under 2 years are not asked to mask when they return to normal activities.
- School Health Offices are health care settings. School nurses and other health office staff should follow the guidance for health care settings: https://www.mass.gov/guidance/guidance-for-health-care-personnel-with-sars-cov2-infection-or-exposure
Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Reporting Interactive Data Dashboard: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting
Massachusetts COVID-19 Wastewater Report Interactive data dashboard: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-wastewater-report
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Wastewater COVID-19 Tracking: https://www.mwra.com/biobot/biobotdata.htm
COVID-19 Testing in Massachusetts:
- Rapid antigen test (At-home test): A Rapid Antigen Test is a COVID-19 test that can be bought at a pharmacy, retail store or online. It is usually taken at home and you can get results in as little as 15 minutes.
- PCR test: A PCR test is a clinically administered test, where a swab of your nose, throat, or a saliva sample is taken and then sent to a lab. Results for a PCR test can take several days to come back. You can also use the CDC's search tool to find a PCR testing site: https://testinglocator.cdc.gov/Search