By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Northampton, MA) Cooley Dickenson Hospital in Northampton is sharing some information with the public regarding the uptick in COVID-19 cases.
“Consistent with an overall uptick in cases across the state, Cooley Dickenson would like to share with the community that the incidence of positive COVID cases locally also rose,” read the statement released on Social Media.
Also released in the statement were the positive test rates over the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, Cooley Dickenson had a percent positive COVID-19 testing rate of 0.7%. Last week, the percent positive testing rate was 1.9%.
“The percent of positive cases is an early indicator that infections may be rising in an area. We do not yet know if this is a trend that will continue, or a ‘blip,'” said Medical Director of Infection Prevention Dr. Joanne Levin.
Social distancing measures, face masks, and good hygiene are the recommended precautions against COVID-19. Today, Governor Charlie Baker appeared at the Pfizer’s research and manufacturing location in Andover to discuss ongoing efforts to create a COVID-19 vaccine. Pfizer is currently in the human trial phase of the vaccine study.