February Archive: COVID-19 Daily Update

by Art and Maura Keene

The Indy’s COVID-19 Daily Update posts the daily confirmed case count for Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Massachusetts, for the nation and for the globe.  

Making Sense of the Numbers
Authorities caution that the confirmed case count is a substantial underestimate of the actual number of cases.  

We rely on well-vetted sources to produce our daily update and draw mostly from the following: Center for Disease Control (CDC), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Johns Hopkins University, Yale School of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Washington Post, New York Times, The Guardian, NPR, STAT News, and the Twitter feeds and/or blogs of Andy Slavitt, Greg Gonsolves, Ezekiel Emanuel, Marc Lipsich, and David Wallace-Wells.

Archives
The Indy began posting COVID-19 Daily Update on March 18, 2020. Here are links to archives of previous months’ posts. March, April , May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January

Numbers in parentheses indicate increase or decrease in count from previous day.

UPDATE for SUNDAY February 28 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 579,680 (+1,700)
Deaths: 16,067 (+43)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2098 (+0) Currently Active – 248 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1897 (+24).  Active Cases: 166 (-21)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 29,202,824 (+ 64,937)
Confirmed Deaths – 524,669 (+1577)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 114,461,460
Deaths: 2,539,040 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
FDA Clears Johnson and Johnson Shot, Giving Americans Third Vaccine
(New York Times)
Here’s How the J&J Vaccine Is Different From The Others
(CNN)
Tracking Coronavirus Cases At US Colleges And Universities
(New York Times)
COVID-19 Vaccines May Be Ready For Teens This Summer
(Science News)
Ventilation Critical For Stopping COVID-19 Spread In Schools
(CNN)
Educators May Play A Key Role In Transmission Of COVID-19
(CDC)

UPDATE for SATURDAY February 27 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 577,980 (+1,987)
Deaths: 16,024 (+46)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2098 (+41) Currently Active – 248 -(-112)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1873 (+20).  Active Cases: 187 (-11)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 29,137,887 (+ 86,546)
Confirmed Deaths –523,092 (+2,240)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 114,087,468
Deaths: 2,531,292 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
COVID-19 Pool Testing Underway In MA Schools
(WCVB)
Mass Lawmaker Says State’s Vaccine Rollout Is A Case Of Structural Racism
(Boston.com)
FDA Panel Unanimously Approves Johnson and Johnson Vaccine For Emergency Release
(CNBC)
How The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Works
(New York Times)
CDC Warns Now Is Not The Time To Relax Restrictions
(New York Times)
The Most Likely Timeline For Life To Return To Normal
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for FRIDAY February 26 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 575,993 (+2,108)
Deaths: 15,978 (+33)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2057 (+0) Currently Active – 380 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1853 (+20).  Active Cases: 196 (-40)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 29,051,341 (+ 75,085)
Confirmed Deaths –520,852 (+2,431)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 113,661,775
Deaths: 2,521,347 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
What Can and Can’t Reopen When Massachusetts Moves To Phase 4 Next Month?
(Boston.com)
Your Wait Is 50,475 Minutes. State Vaccine Site Hits New Snags
(Boston Globe)
The Coronavirus Is Planning A Comeback. Here’s Our Chance To Stop It For Good
(New York Times)
Another COVID Surge Hangs In The Balance. Here’s How Experts Say We Can Prevent It From Becoming Reality
(CNN)
Pfizer To Test Third Does Of Their Vaccine
(Time)
Why Does The Pandemic Seem To Be Hitting Some Countries Harder Than Others?
(The New Yorker)
The Winter Surge Is Melting Away
(The Atlantic)
You Got A COVID Vaccine! What Can You Do Now?
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for THURSDAY February 25 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 573,885 (+2,102)
Deaths: 15,945 (+62)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2057 (+46) Currently Active – 380 -(-109)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1833 (+48).  Active Cases: 236 (+40)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,976,256 (+ 78,538)
Confirmed Deaths –518,421 (+3,425)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 113,209,040
Deaths: 2,510,969 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Tips For Navigating The State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Web Site
(WCVB)
New Worrying Coronavirus Variant Is Spreading In New York
(New York Times)
New Analysis Shows J&J One Dose Vaccine Safe, Effective
(New York Times)
Study Finds Key Differences In Ways Children Become Ill With COVID-19
(New York Times)
CDC Warns Of Coronavirus Risk In Gyms
(Washington Post)
EU Mulls Vaccination Passports To Resurrect Tourism
(Reuters)
Traumatized Nurses Are Quitting Due To Pandemic
(CNN)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY February 24 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 571,783 (+1,237)
Deaths: 15,883 (+30)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2011 (+12) Currently Active – 489 -(-56)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1785 (+9).  Active Cases: 196 (-6)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,897,718 (+ 69,956)
Confirmed Deaths –514,996 (+2,403)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 112,746,815
Deaths: 2,498,577 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
California Coronavirus Variant May Be More Contagious and More Lethal
(Science)
California’s Coronavirus Vaccine Looks Increasingly Dangerous
(LA Times)
Pfizer, Moderna and J&J Promise 240 Million Vaccine Doses By End Of March
(CNN)
Baker Calls For MA Elementary School Children To Be In School Five Days A Week In April
(Boston Globe)
CDC: Educators May Be Central To In School Transmission
(NPR)
School Districts Around The Country Lack Any Regard For The Lives Of Educators
(Jacobin)
Big Vaccine Shipments To Africa Ramp Up Global Vaccine Drive
(New York Times)
Learning To Live With COVID-19 After Vaccination
(Time)

UPDATE for TUESDAY February 23 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 570,546 (+1,262)
Deaths: 15,853 (+27)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1999 (+3) Currently Active – 545 -(-13)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1776 (+4).  Active Cases: 202 (-33)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,827,262 (+ 61,839)
Confirmed Deaths –512,593 (+1,460)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 112,359,649
Deaths: 2,487,494 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Two More Mass Vax Sites Opening in Massachusetts
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
How Some Massachusetts Schools Are Preparing For A February Post- Vacation COVID Surge
(NBC Boston)
Fauci: US Has Done Worse Than Almost Any Other Country In Managing Pandemic
(CNN)
Biden Honors Half Million Lives Lost To Coronavirus
(CNN)
Johnson and Johnson Plans 20M COVID Vaccine Does By End Of March
(USA Today)
To Get Their Lives Back, Teens Volunteer For Vaccine Trials
(New York Times)
CT Teachers and Residents 55 And Older Will Be Eligible To Receive COVID Vaccine Beginning March 1
(New Haven Independent)
How To Buy A Real N95 Mask Online
(New York Times)

UPDATE for MONDAY February 22 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 569,284 (+1,520)
Deaths: 15,826 (+47)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1996 (+71) Currently Active – 558 -(-41)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1772 (+14).  Active Cases: 235 (-37)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,765,423 (+ 58,950)
Confirmed Deaths –511,133 (+1,258)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 112,027,599
Deaths: 2,479,315 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Local Leaders Frustrated With Barker’s Decision To Stop Sending Vaccines To Local Vaccination Sites
(Boston Globe)
More Than 14.000 Massachusetts Hospital Workers Have Been Sickened With COVID-19 Since The Start Of Pandemic
(Boston Globe)
US Reaches 500,000 Deaths
(NBC News)
500,000 US Dead. A Number Almost Too Large To Grasp. A Visual Essay
(Washington Post)
Pandemic Is Receding In World’s Worst Hot Spots. Will It Last?
(New York Times)
COVID Vaccines Having A Big Impact On Hospitalization Risk
(BBC)
Despite Slow Vaccine Rollout Teachers Are Being Pushed Back Inside The Classroom
(Labor Notes)
The Awful Uncertainty Of The Coronavirus Death Toll
(The New Yorker)

UPDATE for SUNDAY February 21 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 567,764 (+1,970)
Deaths: 15,779 (+53)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1925 (+45) Currently Active – 599 -(-14)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1758 (+27).  Active Cases: 272 (-25)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,706,473 (+ 72,052)
Confirmed Deaths –509,875 (+2,119)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 111,724,303
Deaths: 2,473,690 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News
State Promises More Fixes To Troubled Vaccine Web Site
(Boston Globe)
US COVID Numbers May Be Falling But Experts Predict Tens Of Thousands More Deaths As Restrictions Relax
(CNN)
Why We Can’t Make Vaccine Doses Any Faster?
(ProPublica)
Clinical Trials For “Variant Proof” Vaccines Could Start Soon In UK
(The Guardian)
How Vietnam Succeeded In Taming The Pandemic
(Business Insider)
Trump Is Guilty Of Pandemicide
(Foreign Policy)

UPDATE for SATURDAY February 20 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 565,794 (+1,818)
Deaths: 15,726 (+40)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1925 (+45) Currently Active – 599 -(-14)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1731 (+33 ).  Active Cases: 297 (-12)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,604,576 (+ 101,897)
Confirmed Deaths –507,756 (+4,447)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 111,335,358
Deaths: 2,465,561 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News
What Went Wrong At UMass Part III – The Quarantine
(The Daily Collegian)
COVID-19 Cases In MA Schools Drop 25% In Last Week
(CBS Boston)
Over 135,000 Vaccine Doses Arrive In Massachusetts. Providers Won’t Have To Cancel Appointments
(Boston Globe)
Why Didn’t The Massachusetts Vaccine Web Site Work Better?
(Boston Globe)
Technocratic Vaccine Plan Leaves Behind Most In Need
(CommonWealth Magazine)
California Governor Reserves Vaccines For Teachers
(New York Times)
Florida’s Republican Governor Accused Of Playing Politics With COVID Vaccine
(The Guardian)
Short On Vaccine, States Find Hidden Stashes In Their Own Backyards
(San Diego Union Tribune)
G7 Leaders Pledge $7B Toward Vaccines For World’s Poorest
(The Guardian)
A Quite Possibly Wonderful (Vaccinated) Summer
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for FRIDAY February 19 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 563,976 (+2,040)
Deaths: 15,686 (+63)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1880 (+10) Currently Active – 613 -(-20)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1698 (+41).  Active Cases: 309 (-82)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,523,524 (+ 68,991)
Confirmed Deaths –505,309 (+2,754)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 110, 930,558
Deaths: 2,454,521 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
What Went Wrong At UMass Part III – The Quarantine
(The Daily Collegian)
Virus Cases Declining In Hampshire County
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
MA Legislature To Probe Baker’s Vaccine Rollout
(Boston Globe)
How Do I Get A Vaccine Appointment
(NPR)
Getting A Vaccine Appointment Is Like Buying Concert Tickets. How To Navigate The Computer Crush
(Washington Post)
Drug Manufacturers Use Evolutionary Biology To Get Ahead Of COVID Variants
(StatNews)
The Coronavirus Is A Disaster For Feminism
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for THURSDAY February 18 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 561,936 (+1,360)
Deaths: 15,623 (+56)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1870 (+69) Currently Active – 633 -(+26)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1657 (+60).  Active Cases: 393 (+51)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,454,533 (+ 73,313)
Confirmed Deaths –502,555 (+2,564)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 110, 535,944
Deaths: 2,443,126 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
500,000 US Deaths And Counting. A Shameful Public Health Failure
(Environmental Health News)
US Life Expectancy Plummeted In 2020
(New York Times)
South African Variant May Cut Pfizer Vaccine Protection By Two Thirds
(The Guardian)
US Federal Agents Seize 10 Million Fake N95 Masks
(The Guardian)
To Aid Vaccine Research UK Approves Deliberate Infection Of Volunteers With Coronavirus
(Science)
Piecing Together The Next Pandemic
(New York Times)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY February 17 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 560,575 (+1,226)
Deaths: 15,567 (+50)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1801 (+125) Currently Active – 607 -(+51)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1597 (+8).  Active Cases: 342 (-4)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,381,220 (+ 63,517)
Confirmed Deaths –499,991 (+1,788)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 109,129,198
Deaths: 2,431,682 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Mass Officials Confirm First Case Of Coronavirus South African Variant
(Boston.com)
Baker Administration Lays Out Plan To Get Vaccines To Hardest-Hit Communities
(Boston Globe)
WHO: Rate Of New Coronavirus Cases Declining Around The World
(Washington Post)
Why COVID-19 Cases Are Falling So Fast
(The Atlantic)
Oregon Is Vaccinating Teachers. It Might Not Be Enough To Reopen Schools
(New York Times)
Keeping Schools Open Without Masks Or Quarantines Doubled Swedish Teachers’ COVID-19 Risk
(Science)
UK and California Coronavirus Variants Have Merged Into A Heavily Mutated Hybrid
(New Scientist)
Who In The US Has Died From COVID-19?
(Vox)

UPDATE for TUESDAY February 16 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 559,350 (+1,573)
Deaths: 15,517 (+33)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1676 (+0) Currently Active – 556 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1589 (+22).  Active Cases: 346 (-48)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,317,703 (+ 55,348)
Confirmed Deaths –498,203 (+1,028)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 109,752,152
Deaths: 2,420,633 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
What Went Wrong At UMass Part II – The Contact Tracing (A Three Part Series On The COVID-19 Surge At UMass)
(The Daily Collegian)
COVID-19 Variant Seen In Hampshire County
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
COVID-Linked Pediatric Inflammatory Syndrome Is Growing And Cases Are More Severe
(New York Times)
US Just Saw Its Lowest COVID-19 Case Count Since October But Experts Are Still Worried
(CNN)
Making Masks Fit Better Can Reduce Coronavirus Exposure By 96%
(Science News)

UPDATE for MONDAY February 15 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 557,777 (+1,882)
Deaths: 15,484 (+60)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1676 (+0) Currently Active – 556 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1567 (+30).  Active Cases: 394 (-157)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,262,355 (+ 65,391)
Confirmed Deaths –497,175 (+1,112)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 109,458,446
Deaths: 2,412,910 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
State To Halt Shipment Of Vaccine Doses To Western Mass Hospitals
(MassLive)
What Went Wrong At UMass Part I – The Dorms (First In A Three Part Series On The COVID Surge At UMass)
(Daily Collegian)
Coronavirus Vaccines Fall Short In US As States Increase Access
(New York Times)
Widespread Vaccinations Won’t Come Until The Summer. Here’s What’s Been Driving Down COVID Case Counts So Far
(CNN)
Seven Virus Variants Carrying Same Mutation Found In US
(New York Times)
New Zealand In Lockdown After Three Cases Of UK Variant Detected
(Reuters)
Fully Opening Schools Is Urgent. Here’s How To Do It.
(New York Times)
Why Reopening Restaurants Is Exactly What The Coronavirus Wants Us To Do
(ProPublica)
Vax Finder: Vaccine Locations And Appointments In Massachusetts
(mass.gov)

UPDATE for SUNDAY February 14 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 555,895 (+2,083)
Deaths: 15,424 (+66)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1676 (+23) Currently Active – 556 -(+4)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1537 (+48).  Active Cases: 551 (+51)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,196,964 (+ 90,260)
Confirmed Deaths –496,063 (+3,542)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 109,168,231
Deaths: 2,406,689 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
What Went Wrong At UMass Part I – The Dorms (First In A Three Part Series On The COVID Surge At UMass)
(Daily Collegian)
Baker “Not Comfortable” Moving On To Vaccinating 65 And Older
(NBC Boston)
UK Coronavirus Variant Probably More Lethal Scientists Say
(New York Times)

UPDATE for SATURDAY February 13 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 553,812 (+2,416)
Deaths: 15,358 (+89)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1653 (+128) Currently Active – 552 -(+57)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1485 (-168).  Active Cases: 500 (-56)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,106,704 (+ 104,464)
Confirmed Deaths –492,521 (+5,599)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 108,808,074
Deaths: 2,395,911 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts Debuts New Web Site To Schedule COVID-19 Vaccines
(Boston Globe)
What You Need To Know About The New CDC School Reopening Guidelines
(New York Times)
Winter Coronavirus Deaths Drop But Experts Fear Spring Surge
(Washington Post)
Could A Single Vaccine Work Against All Coronaviruses? Scientists Are Working On One
(New York Times)

UPDATE for FRIDAY February 12 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 551,396 (+2,450)
Deaths: 15,269 (+62)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1653 (+128) Currently Active – 552 -(+57)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1434 (+44).  Active Cases: 552 (+11)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 28,002,240 (+ 105,026)
Confirmed Deaths –486,922 (+3,722)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 108,362,480
Deaths: 2,380,767 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA Opened Vaccine Eligibility To Companions Of Those Over 75. Now People On Craig’s List Are Trying To Take Advantage Of It
(Boston.com)
Baker Under Fire For COVID Vaccine Companion Program
(MassLive)
Hospitals Fume As Baker Shifts Vaccine Strategy
(WBUR)
Biden Announces Big Vaccine Deal But Warns Of Hurdles
(New York Times)
Canada’s Vaccine Rollout Stalls, Confining Seniors To Their Homes
(CNN)
Trump Was Sicker With COVID-19 Than Was Acknowledged
(New York Times)
If Opening School Is So Important, Why Are We Skimping On Protections That Curb COVID-19?
(USA Today)
My Parents Are Vaccinated. Can They Now See Their Grandkids?
(Boston Globe)
Vaccine vs. Variant. Promising Data In Israel’s Race To Defeat The Pandemic
(Reuters)
Brazil Says Amazon Variant Three Times More Contagious
(Aljazeera)
South African Coronavirus Variant. What’s The Risk?
(BBC)

UPDATE for THURSDAY February 11 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 548,946 (+2,050)
Deaths: 15,207 (+83)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1525 (+69) Currently Active – 495 -(+46)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1390 (+125).  Active Cases: 541 (+119)
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,897,214 (+ 97,268)
Confirmed Deaths –483,200 (+3,478)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 107,950,666
Deaths: 2,367,355 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA Teachers Unions Propose Pilot Program To Rapidly Vaccinate School Employees
(Boston Globe)
Massachusetts Given Failing Grades For Vaccine Rollout
(Boston.com)
COVID-19 Cases Counts Have Started Falling In US. Here’s Why
(Time)
COVID-19 Variant Cases Spike In US by 73% With Florida Leading The Way
(USA Today)
CDC Says Tight Fitting Masks Or Double Masking Significantly Increases Virus Protection
(New York Times)
Millions Of N95 Masks Waiting For Buyers
(New York Times)
Hopes For Achieving Herd Immunity By Fall Look Dim, Biden’s Health Experts Warn
(Truthout)
US Could Have Avoided 40% Of COVID-19 Deaths, Panel Studying Trump’s Policies Finds
(The Guardian)
Fauci: Vaccines For Kids As Young As First Graders Could Be Authorized By September
(Pro Publica)
How Coronavirus Variants May Drive Re-infection and Shape Vaccine Development
(Science News)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY February 10 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 546,896 (+1,593)
Deaths: 15,124 (+70)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1525 (+11) Currently Active – 449 -(-18)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1265 (+21).  Active Cases: 423
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,799,946 (+ 99,317)
Confirmed Deaths –479,722 (+5,189)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 107,496,792
Deaths: 2,353,308 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
After A Brutal Winter Rise, US Virus Deaths Are Declining
(New York Times)
Is The Decline in Coronavirus Cases The Calm Before The Variant Driven Storm?
(StatNews)
About 1 In 10 Americans Have Received Their First COVID-19 Vaccinations But Supply Challenges Remain
(CNN)
Black Americans Are Getting Vaccinated At A Lower Rate Than White Americans
(Kaiser Health News)
In The Absence Of COVID-19 Safety Plans Teachers Are Resigning And Retiring Early
(Truthout)
What We Know About How The Coronavirus Started And Why It Matters
(Washington Post)

UPDATE for TUESDAY February 9 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 545,303 (+1,369)
Deaths: 15,054 (+55)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1514 (+151) Currently Active – 467 -(+143)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1286 (+24). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,700,629 (+ 89,225)
Confirmed Deaths –474,533 (+1,872)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 107,083,754
Deaths: 2,338,372 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Sequesters Students As COVID Surges
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
US Congressman Ron Wright Dies After COVID Hospitalization
(NPR)
It’s Very Risky For States To Ease COVID Restrictions Right Now Experts Warn
(CNN)
WHO: Extremely Unlikely Virus Came From Lab In Wuhan
(New York Times)
Mental Health Struggles Have Risen During Pandemic CDC Report Says
(Boston Globe)
Coronavirus Variant And Mutation Tracker
(New York Times)
How Can Vaccines Be Tweaked To Tackle New Coronavirus Variants
(The Guardian)
We Know Too Little About America’s Vaccine Debacle
(New York Times)
Fake N95 Masks Have Flooded The Market. Here’s How To Tell The Difference
(CNN)
Inside the Worst Hit County In The Worst Hit State In The Worst Hit Country
(The New Yorker)

UPDATE for MONDAY February 8 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 543,934 (+3,107)
Deaths: 14,999 (+78)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1363 (+0) Currently Active – 324 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1262 (+58). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,611,404 (+ 91,767)
Confirmed Deaths –474,533 (+1,005)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 106,752,757
Deaths: 2,328,707 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
58 New Cases At UMass Conclude Week Of Significant COVID-19 Spread
(Daily Collegian)
UMass Athletics Pause Threatens Men’s Basketball Tournament Eligibility
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
894 New Cases Reported In MA Schools Last Week Bringing Total Case Count To Over 10,000
(Boston Herald)
COVID-19 Monitor: Tracking Case Counts In K-12 Schools Across The Country
(The Covid Monitor)
UK Coronavirus Variant Now Spreading Rapidly In The US
(New York Times)
Disease Experts Warn Of Deaths From COVID-19 Variants As US Lags In Tracking
(The Guardian)
South Africa Halts Vaccine Rollout After Astra Zeneca Vaccine Falters Against Variant
(StatNews)
Can You Still Transmit COVID-19 After Vaccination?
(Portside)

UPDATE for SUNDAY February 7 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 540,827 (+3,619)
Deaths: 14,921 (+62)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1363 (+0) Currently Active – 324 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1204c (+298). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,519,636 (+ 112,312)
Confirmed Deaths –473,528 (+2,823)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 106,424,747
Deaths: 2,322, 026 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Theta Chi Hosts Two Crowded Parties Leading To COVID-19 Cases
(Daily Collegian)
UMass Shatters Single Day Case Record
(Daily Collegian)
At UMass Amherst, Students Exposed To COVID-19 Face Stark Quarantine Options
(Boston Globe)
Biden Calls In Active-Duty Troops To Support Vaccine Efforts
(Time)
Israel Outpaced The World On Vaccines. Now It’s Seeing The Results. Long Way To Go But Reason For Hope
(Vox)
COVID-19’s Effects On Asymptomatic Patients
(NPR)
Why The Pandemic Is 10 Times Worse Than You Think
(NPR)
Vaccines Alone Won’t Solve The Pandemic. Here Are Three Other Things We Must Do
(Washington Post)
US Housing Crisis Deepens During Pandemic
(New York Times)

UPDATE for SATURDAY February 6 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 537,208 (+3,287)
Deaths: 14,859 (+75)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1363 (+117) Currently Active – 324 -(+111)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 906 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,407,324 (+ 133,434)
Confirmed Deaths –470,705 (+3,717)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 106,004,046
Deaths: 2,311,015 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Vaccine Call Center Goes Live For Those 75 And Older
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
The 153 Massachusetts Communities That Have The Highest Rates Of Coronavirus
(Boston.com)
Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions On Religious Services In California
(New York Times)
Indigenous Americans Are Dying From COVID-19 At Twice The Rate Of White Americans
(The Guardian)
The Most Worrying Mutations In Five Significant Variants
(Scientific American)
COVID-19 Vaccinations: Why Are Some States So Much More Successful Than Others?
(Brookings.edu)
America’s Soviet Style Vaccine Distribution. Frustration Is Spreading Faster Than The Vaccine Is
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for FRIDAY February 5 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 533,921 (+2,804)
Deaths: 14,784 (+76)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1246 (+66) Currently Active – 213 -(+59)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 906 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,273,890 (+ 123,433)
Confirmed Deaths –466,988 (+5,058)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 105,512,531
Deaths: 2,296,680 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
COVID-19 Cases Rise At UMass
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Baker Increases Capacity Limits For Restaurants, Gyms and Other Businesses To 40% Beginning Monday
(Boston.com)
New MA Bill Would Increase Access To Vaccines
(MassLive)
Johnson and Johnson Applies For Emergency Approval Of Vaccine. FDA Expected To Green-light In Coming Weeks
(NBC News)
US Records 5000 Deaths In Single Day For First Time
(Market Watch)
US Coronavirus Cases Are Down But Eclipse Summer Peaks
(New York Times)
New Model Suggests Number Of Infectious Individuals In US Underestimated By Factor Of Ten
(NPR)
Iowa Requires All Schools To Provide 100% In-Person Learning Option
(Des Moines Register)
Israel’s Vaccination Results Point A Way Out Of Pandemic
(New York Times)
Comparing Three Coronavirus Vaccines
(StatNews)
What Scientists Know About Variants and COVID-19 Vaccines
(StatNews)
How We Can Learn To Live With The Coronavirus
(Time)
Why The US Still Has A Shortage Of Medical Grade Masks
(Washington Post)
Black America Has Reason To Question Authorities On COVID-19
(The New Yorker)

UPDATE for THURSDAY February 4 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 531,117 (+2,455)
Deaths: 14,708 (+56)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1180 (+0) Currently Active – 154 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 906 (+46). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,150,457 (+ 122,734)
Confirmed Deaths –461,930 (+4,053)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 105,003,605
Deaths: 2,280,754 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Pooled COVID-19 Testing To Begin In 120 Massachusetts School Districts This Month
(MassLive)
Where Are American Teachers Ineligible To Be Vaccinated?
(New York Times)
CDC Releases Two Studies Of COVID-19 Transmission In Schools. Here’s What They Find
(Chalkbeat)
There Are Now Roughly 4000 COVID-19 Variants Worldwide
(The Guardian)
Coronavirus Is In The Air. There’s Too Much Focus On Surfaces
(Nature)
Adults Age 20-49 Are Biggest Spreaders Of COVID-19 Study Suggests
(CNN)
If Your Loved One Is Hesitant To Get The COVID-19 Vaccine, Share This
(CNN)
The Second COVID-19 Shot Is A Rude Awakening For Immune System
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY February 3 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 528,662 (+2,239)
Deaths: 14,652 (+45)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1180 (+16) Currently Active – 154 -(+29)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 860 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 27,027,723 (+ 116,348)
Confirmed Deaths –457,877 (+3,664)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 104,495,454
Deaths: 2,265,261 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Amherst To Add More Appointments For COVID-19 Vaccine
(WWLP)
Area Legislators Push Governor For Equitable Access To COVID-19 Vaccine
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Fragmented Decentralized Health System Plagues Vaccine Rollout In MA, US.
(Boston Globe)
What To Know About COVID-19 And The 2021 Super Bowl
(New York Times)
Everyday Covid Mistakes We Are All Still Making
(The Guardian)
What Can I Do Safely Now That I’ve Had My COVID-19 Vaccine?
(CNN)
Five Questions About Coronavirus Vaccine Trials In Teens Answered
(Science News For Students)
The Colleges That Took The Pandemic Seriously
(The Atlantic)
The Key To Combating Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories
(Washington Post)

UPDATE for TUESDAY February 2 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 526,423 (+2,398)
Deaths: 14,607 (+30)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1164 (+13) Currently Active – 125 -(+5)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 860 (+34). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 26,911,375 (+ 144,416)
Confirmed Deaths –454,213 (+1,934)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 104,013,300
Deaths: 2,249,908 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
969 COVID-19 Cases Reported In Massachusetts Schools Last Week
(MassLive)
Massachusetts Case Total Passes 500,000
(WCVB)
Virus Variants Continue To Evolve, Sometimes In Dangerous Ways
(New York Times)
Why The US Is Far Behind In Tracking COVID Variants
(The Guardian)
US Cuts $231M Deal To Provide COVID Home Test Kits
(NPR)
White Americans Are Being Vaccinated At A Higher Rate Than Black Americans
(Washington Post)
What To Do And Not Do Before And After Your COVID-19 Shot
(CNN)
New US COVID-19 Testing Rules For Travelers
(CNN)

UPDATE for MONDAY February 1 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 524,025 (+2,665)
Deaths: 14,577 (+46)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 1151 (+21) Currently Active – 120 -(+17)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 816 (+0). 
Source For Amherst – Town Of Amherst Dashboard
Source For UMass UMass Dashboard
Source for Massachusetts: Mass DPH.NYT Daily Dashboard and  Boston.maps
Confirmed Cases in USA – 26,767,229 (+ 110,462)
Confirmed Deaths –452,279 (+1,892)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 103,595,898
Deaths: 2,239,285 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Amherst COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Accepting Appointments Beginning Today (2/1)
(WWLP)
How To Sign Up For COVID-19 Vaccine In Western Massachusetts
(WWLP)
January Was America’s Deadliest Month
(CNN)
Trump Administration Actively Lobbied To Deny States Money For Vaccine Rollout
(StatNews)
20 Million Vaccine Doses Missing Under Trump
(The Independent)
10 Days Of Struggle. Inside Biden’s Early Coronavirus Vaccine Effort
(Washington Post)
Good Vaccine News
(New York Times)
Pentagon May Send Troops To Assist With Vaccines
(New York Times)
Why Some Who Are Vaccinated Still Get Coronavirus
(New York Times)
The South African Variant: All Your Questions Answered
(Live Science)
Everything You Want To Know About The Coronavirus Variants
(Washington Post)