March 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, February

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

UPDATE forWEDNESDAY March 31 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 633,081 (+2,050)
Deaths: 17,148 (+18)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2513 (+9) Currently Active – 90 (-5)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2341 (+0).  Active Cases: 39 (-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 – 31,097,928 (+62,209)
Confirmed Deaths – 564,139 (+920)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide:128,941,489
Deaths: 2,818,833 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Dangerous UK COVID Variant Wreaks Havoc In Europe
(CNN)
Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Appears To Be Highly Effective In Adolescents
(New York Times)
The Fourth Surge Of The Pandemic Is Upon Us
(The Atlantic)
How Wealthy Nations Are Creating Vaccine Apartheid
(The Guardian)
COVID Cases Jump 20% In Michigan Schools. More Closures Ahead?
(Bridge Michigan)

UPDATE for TUESDAY March 30 as of 9 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 631,031 (+1,500)
Deaths: 17,130 (+15)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2504 (+10) Currently Active – 96 (-11)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2341 (+0).  Active Cases: 39 (-13)
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 – 31,035,719 (+70,174)
Confirmed Deaths – 563,219 (+693)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide:128,392,905
Deaths: 2,807,073 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
CDC Chief Warns Of “Impending Doom” As COVID Case Counts, Deaths Rise
(Bloomberg News)
Biden Pleads With States To Slow Down Openings As New Viral Surge Builds
(CNN)
Biden Pushes Mask Mandate
(New York Times)
New Vaccines Needed Within A Year To Meet Variant Threat Scientists Say
(The Guardian)
Michigan Reports COVID Outbreaks At 69 Schools
(MLive)
Rutgers Will Require COVID Vaccine For Fall Enrollment
(Inside Higher Education)
Mobilizing Vaccines In Rural Black Communities
(The North Star)
World Leaders Call For Treaty To Combat Future Pandemics
(NPR)

UPDATE for MONDAY March 29 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 629,531 (+1,975)
Deaths: 17,115 (+29)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2494 (+0) Currently Active – 107 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2341 (+12).  Active Cases: 52 (+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 – 30,965,545 (+48,403)
Confirmed Deaths – 562,526 (+513)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 127,874,407
Deaths: 2,797,675 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Vaccination Program For Homebound In MA Begins Today (MON)
(NBC Boston)
Some States Report Concerning Rise In Coronavirus Cases
(CNN)
Florida’s Coronavirus Cases Rising Especially Among The Young
(New York Times)
Vaccines And Travel. What You Need To Know
(New York TImes)
What Can You Do If You Are Vaccinated And Your Kids Are Not?
(CNN)
WHO Says Animals Were The Likely Source Of Coronavirus
(Associated Press)

UPDATE for SUNDAY March 28 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 627,556 (+2,570)
Deaths: 17,086 (+35)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2494 (+0) Currently Active – 107 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2329 (+0).  Active Cases: 48 (-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 – 30,917,142 (+64,060)
Confirmed Deaths – 562,013 (+817)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 127,412,288
Deaths: 2,790,360 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
441 Cases Of UK Variant Detected In Massachusetts
(Boston Globe)
One Third Of US Adults Have Received At Least One COVID Vaccine
(New York Times)
After Spring Break, Coronavirus Cases Appear To Surge Among Young Floridians
(Palm Beach Post)
What Kids Are Telling Us About Their Pandemic Lives
(CNN)

UPDATE for SATURDAY March 27 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 624,986 (+2,760)
Deaths: 17,051 (+41)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2494 (+9) Currently Active – 107 (+6)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2329 (+7).  Active Cases: 54 (-3)
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 – 30,853,082 (+79,049)
Confirmed Deaths – 561,142 (+1,368)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 126,846,080
Deaths: 2,782,110 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts “Vaccine Angels” Work Around The Clock To Score Vaccinations Slots For People They’ve Never Met
(Boston Globe)
No Evidence To Support Trump’s CDC Director’s Claim The Coronavirus Originated In A Lab In China
(CBS Boston)
Five Reasons Why COVID-19 Herd Immunity Is Probably Impossible
(Nature)
How Brazil’s COVID-19 Surge Overwhelmed Hospitals
(New York Times)
We Have Not Yet Turned The Corner. America Arrives At A Moment Of Introspection About Coronavirus
(CNN)
Far Right Extremists Move From “Stop The Steal” To “Stop The Vaccine”
(New York Times)

UPDATE for FRIDAY March 26 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 622,226 (+2,410)
Deaths: 17,010 (+40)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2485 (+10) Currently Active – 101 (+3)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2322 (+7).  Active Cases: 57 (-10)
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 – 30,774,033 (+69,741)
Confirmed Deaths – 559,744 (+1,322)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 126,203,749
Deaths: 2,769,596 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Nearly Half Of COVID-19 Cases In Massachusetts Are People Under 30
(CBS Boston)
The Company That Barely Existed A Year Ago Is Now Running Near Half Of The State’s Vaccination Sites
(Boston Globe)
See How Many People Have Received The COVID-19 Vaccine In Your Mass Town
(Boston Globe)
As Many MA Workers Resist Vaccines, Calls Grow To Make Vaccines Mandatory
(Boston Globe)
At Least 31 States Expand Vaccine Access Amid Growing Caseloads
(New York Times)
Biden Pledges 200M Vaccine Shots In 100 Days
(The Guardian)
Dangerous COVID-19 Variants Could Mean That All Bets Are Off For The Road To Normalcy
(CNN)
Pfizer-BioNTech Have Started Testing COVID Vaccine In Children Under 12
(Time)
US COVID Response Could Have Avoided Hundreds Of Thousands Of Deaths: Research
(Reuters)

UPDATE for THURSDAY March 25 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 619,816 (+2,121)
Deaths: 16,970 (+55)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2475 (+0) Currently Active – 98 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2315 (+0).  Active Cases: 67 (-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 – 30,704,292 (+65,028)
Confirmed Deaths – 558,422 (+1,531)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 125,555,649
Deaths: 2,759,008 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Rise In UK Variant Cases In Massachusetts
(WCVB)
Area College Students Reflect On Time In Pandemic
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
US COVID-19 Cases Hit 30 Million As Infections Rise In Most States
(Washington Post)
After US Failures On COVID, Congress Is Preparing To Fight The Next Pandemic
(Stat News)
Pandemic Fuels Rise In US Homelessness
(The Guardian)
Why Are More Young People Getting Sick With COVID-19 In Brazil?
(CNN)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY March 24 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 617,695 (+1,821)
Deaths: 16,915 (+21)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2475 (+17) Currently Active – 98 (-4)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2315 (+12).  Active Cases: 71 (+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 – 30,639,264 (+60,590)
Confirmed Deaths – 556,891 (+900)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 124,934,979
Deaths: 2,748,769 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
How To Get Vaccinated At Pharmacies In Massachusetts
(NBC Boston)
Doctors Concerned As Pace Of Vaccinations In MA Lags
(CBS Boston)
State Approves Request From 58 Districts To Delay Reopening. More Petitions Pending
(Boston Globe)
Florida Back To 5k New Corona Virus Cases Per Day With Surge Among Younger Age Groups
(Orlando Sentinel)
Is Michigan’s COVID Surge A Sign Of Things To Come Across US?
(The Guardian)
COVID: The Countries That Nailed It And What We Can Learn From Them
(BBC)
How Taiwan Triumphed Over COVID
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for TUESDAY March 23 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 615,874 (+1,206)
Deaths: 16,894 (+27)
Confirmed Cases in Amherst – 2458 (+22) Currently Active – 102 (-14)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2303 (+1).  Active Cases: 65 (-20)
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 – 30,578,674 (+56,900)
Confirmed Deaths – 555,991 (+677)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 124,390,921
Deaths: 2,737,714 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Boston Seeking Delay On Full Time, In Person Learning
(Boston Globe)
MA Vaccine Rollout Squanders Millions Of Dollars Local Leaders Say
(Boston Globe)
Hang Onto That COVID-19 Vaccination Card. It May Be Your Ticket Back To Normalcy
(ABC News)
CDC Guidance For Fully Vaccinated On Visiting Unvaccinated Family And Friends
(CNN)
New COVID Variant Possibly Linked To Heart Problems In Pets
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for MONDAY March 22 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 614,668 (+1,811)
Deaths: 16,867 (+35)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2436 (+0) Currently Active – 116 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2302 (+13).  Active Cases: 80 (-2)
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 – 30,521,774 (+39,647)
Confirmed Deaths – 555,314 (+443)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 123,951,457
Deaths: 2,729,201 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Mass Residents 60 And Over Eligible For Vaccine Today. COVID Restrictions Eased For Businesses
(Boston Globe)
RIsing COVID-19 Cases In Some States Highlight “Precarious Position “As Variants Build Up In US
(Stat News)
As Restrictions Drop, New Coronavirus Cases Are On The Rise In US
(Washington Post)
MIami Beach, Overwhelmed By Spring Break Parties, Extends Curfew
(New York Times)
Astra-Zeneca Vaccine Is Safe And Effective, US Study Finds
(CNN)
Americans Can And Should Vaccinate The World
(Foreign Affairs)

UPDATE for SUNDAY March 21 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 612,857 (+2,376)
Deaths: 16,832 (+29)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2436 (+0) Currently Active – 116 (+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2289 (+8).  Active Cases: 82 (-13)
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 – 30,482,127 (+56,340)
Confirmed Deaths – 554,871 (+767)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 123,545,091
Deaths: 2,732,682 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
More Essential Workers Eligible For Vaccine In MA Beginning Monday. Here’s What You Need To Know
(NBC Boston)
Miami Beach Imposes Curfew On Spring Break Parties
(New York Times)
Experts Say It’s A Tight Race Between COVID Variants And Vaccines As Air Travel Hits Records And Spring Break Crowds Grow
(CNN)
Spread Of COVID Variant Fuels Concern In Michigan As State Reopens
(The Guardian)
Unprecedented Surge Of P1 Variant In Brazil Poses Danger To Entire World
(Dr. Eric Ding On Twitter)
Oxford Says Astra-Zeneca Vaccine Effective Against Brazilian P1 Variant
(CNBC)
Putting Students Behind Plexiglass Isn’t Making Them Any Safer
(New York Magazine)

UPDATE for SATURDAY March 20 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 610,481 (+2,163)
Deaths: 16,803 (+44)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2436 (+27) Currently Active – 116 (+6)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2281 (+6).  Active Cases: 95 (-2)
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 – 30,425,787 (+66,907)
Confirmed Deaths – 554,104 (+1,634)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 123,018,895
Deaths: 2,715,584 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
More Than One Million Mass Residents Are Now Fully Vaccinated
(WCVB)
COVID Cases Rise In Mass Schools For Second Week In A Row
(CBS Boston)
A More Contagious Coronavirus Variant Is Spreading Across The United States. Can The Vaccines Stop It?
(CNN)
Virus Variants Mean Our COVID Winter Is Not Over. Don’t Ease Restrictions Now
(Washington Post)
CDC Changes School Guidance Allowing Desks To Be Closer
(Associated Press)
Why Black Parents Aren’t Joining The Rush To Reopen Schools
(Mother Jones)
Overseas Fans Banned From Tokyo Olympics Over COVID Fears
(Al Jazeera)
Trump’s Mara Lago Partially Closed Due To COVID Infections Among Staff
(Washington Post)
Major COVID Variants Found In Pets
(Science)

UPDATE for FRIDAY March 19 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 608,318 (+1,941)
Deaths: 16,759 (+27)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2409 (+13) Currently Active – 110 -(-1)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2275 (+10).  Active Cases: 97 (-20)
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 – 30,358,880 (+63,379)
Confirmed Deaths – 552,470 (+1,799)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 122,489,227
Deaths: 2,705,366 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Health Experts Urge Governor Baker To Delay Monday Reopenings
(Boston Globe)
Mass Receives Unexpected 8000 Doses Of Johnson and Johnson Vaccine
(Boston Globe)
US Rushes To Expand COVID Vaccine Eligibility In Race Against Time
(New York TImes)
White Houses Announces $10 Billion Allocation For COVID Testing In Schools
(NPR)
CDC Create Threat Levels For COVID-19 Variants
(Web MD)
Paris Goes Into Lockdown As Variant Rampages
(Reuters)
Things Are Desperate: Brazil’s ICUs Are At Near Capacity
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for THURSDAY March 18 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 606,377 (+1,711)
Deaths: 16,732 (+44)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2396 (+42) Currently Active – 111 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2265 (+17).  Active Cases: 117 (+15)
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 – 30,295,501 (+63,232)
Confirmed Deaths – 550,671 (+1,302)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 121,941,358
Deaths: 2,694,944 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Baker: Vaccine Open To All On April 19
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
US May Be On Cusp Of COVID-19 Infection Surge Officials Warn
(CNN)
CDC Chief Warns Of COVID-19 Surge Resulting From Spring Break
(Business Insider)
How Much Should You Worry About The New Coronavirus Variants?
(Slate)
Why Is The Johnson and Johnson Vaccine Only One Shot? Here’s What You Need To Know
(Washington Post)
The Racial Disparities, Systemic Racism Behind Who Gets Vaccinated (Listen)
(NPR)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY March 17 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 604,666 (+1,202)
Deaths: 16,688 (+15)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2354 (+0) Currently Active – 111 -(-51)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2248 (+0).  Active Cases: 102 (-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 – 30,232,269 (+93,683)
Confirmed Deaths – 549,369 (+1,356)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 121,391,103
Deaths: 2,684,453 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
CDC Has Identified More Than 200 Cases Of UK Variant And Five Of South African Variant In MA
(MassLive)
Massachusetts To Release Schedule Today For Remaining Groups In Vaccine Rollout
(Boston.com)
Why Opening WIndows Is Key To Reopening Schools
(New York Times)
Moderna Begins Testing Its COVID Vaccine On Children 6 Months Of Age To Eleven Years
(New York Times)
CDC Designates California Coronavirus Strain A “Variant Of Concern”
(CNN)
Brazil’s Coronavirus Disaster Is A Threat To The World
(Washington Post)
Hundereds Of Thousands Of Deaths And Millions Of Cases Would Have Been Prevented Under Medicare For All
(Public Citizen)
Regulators Say Astra-Zeneca Vaccine Is Safe. So Why Are Countries Suspending Its Use?
(Time)

UPDATE for TUESDAY March 16 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 603,464 (+1,156)
Deaths: 16,673 (+28)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2354 (+0) Currently Active – 162 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2248 (+10).  Active Cases: 106 (-14)
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 – 30,138,586 (+56,929)
Confirmed Deaths – 548,013 (+799)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 120,866,697
Deaths: 2,674,416 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Phase Four In MA Begins Next Week. Here’s What Can Reopen
(NBC Boston)
As Biden Confronts Vaccine Hesitancy, Republicans Are A Particular Challenge
(New York Times)
25% Of US House Of Representatives Are Not Vaccinated
(Axios)
Spring Break In Florida May Help B.1.1.7 Variant Become Dominant
(CNN)
B117 More Deadly Than Other COVID Strains New Data Affirm
(CIDRAP)
The Curious Case Of Astra-Zeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine
(STAT News)
UCONN Coach Geno Auriemma Tests Positive For COVID-19
(Associated Press)
CDC Identifies Public Health Guidance Authored Under Trump Admin That Downplays Pandemic’s Severity
(Washington Post)
How The West Lost COVID-19. How Did Europe and The US Get So Much Wrong?
(New York Magazine)
We Can Now See A Virus Mutate Like Never Before
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for MONDAY March 15 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 602,308 (+1,692)
Deaths: 16,645 (+31)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2354 (+0) Currently Active – 162 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2238 (+22).  Active Cases: 120 (+5)
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 – 30,081,657 (+37,995)
Confirmed Deaths – 547,234 (+629)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 120,489,786
Deaths: 2,666,649 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA Governor Is Playing An Ugly Game Of Politics With Teachers’ Lives
(The Nation)
One Year Of COVID-19 At UMass
(Daily Collegian)
A Year Of Trauma And Resilience. How The Pandemic Changed Everything
(New York Times)
Vaccine Efficacy Drops Considerably For Several New Variants
(Epidemiologist Eric Ding on Twitter)
Netherlands, Ireland, Join Other European Countries In Suspending The Use Of Astra Zeneca Vaccine
(NPR)
YoYo Ma Gives Impromptu Performance At Berkshires Vaccine Center
(The Guardian)
How Iceland Kept The Coronavirus Pandemic Under Control
(NBC News)
How COVID-19 Could Impact NCAA Basketball Tournament
(MarketWatch)

UPDATE for SUNDAY March 14 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 600,616 (+1,757)
Deaths: 16,614 (+34)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2354 (+0) Currently Active – 162 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2216 (+0).  Active Cases: 115 (-30)
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 – 30,043,662 (+50,239)
Confirmed Deaths – 546,605 (+1061)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 120,149,799
Deaths: 2,661,341 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
MA Senate President Calls On Governor To Set Aside Vaccines For Teachers
(Boston.com)
The Miseducation Of Charlie Baker. Teachers Need The Vaccine
(Boston Globe)
Schools Systems Scrambling To Meet New State School Reopening Mandate
(Boston Globe)
Pace of Vaccinations in US Accelerates
(New York Times)
Growing Evidence That Vaccines Reduce Virus Transmission
(Vox)
One Florida Mayor Says Too Many People Coming For Spring Break As Health Officials Urge Vigilance
(CNN)
Spring Breakers Flock To COVID Hotspot To Party Like It’s 2019
(The Guardian)
How Do We Come To Terms With The Indelible Loss Of Last Year?
(Vogue)

UPDATE for SATURDAY March 13 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 598,859 (+1,786)
Deaths: 16,580 (+29)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2354 (+14) Currently Active – 162 -(-14)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2216 (+30).  Active Cases: 145 (+7)
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 – 29,993,423 (+65,671)
Confirmed Deaths – 545,544 (+1806)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 119,723,984
Deaths: 2,653,796 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Equity Advocates Knock MA Vaccine Rollout
(Boston.com)
More Than 400,000 MA Residents Sign Up For COVID Vaccine Through New Pre-registration System
(Boston Globe)
MA Vaccine Leader Is Berkshire County
(NEPM)
Unions: Baker Irresponsibly Mis-represents Educator’s COVID Efforts
(MTA)
Despite Encouraging Downward Trends, US COVID-19 Deaths Remain High
(New York Times)
Biden Takes First Tentative Steps To Address Global Vaccine Shortage
(New York Times)
Duke Men’s Basketball Out Of ACC Tournament Because Of Coronavirus
(New York Times)
One Year Of COVID. What We Lost And What We Found
(Boston Globe)
Avoid Re-entry Syndrome. Take Things Slowly As Lockdown Ends
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for FRIDAY March 12 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 597,073 (+1,809)
Deaths: 16,551 (+42)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2340 (+19) Currently Active – 176 -(-13)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2186 (+8).  Active Cases: 138 (-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 – 29,927,752 (+59,922)
Confirmed Deaths – 543,738 (+1617)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 119,229,839
Deaths: 2,643,939 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts Launches Vaccine Preregistration System Today
(WCVB)
Baker Administration Clashes With Mass Teachers Unions Over Vaccine Distribution
(Boston.com)
Vaccination Rates Lag For Massachusetts Latino Residents
(Boston Globe)
Biden Will Compel States To Make Vaccines Available To All Adults By May 1
(STAT News)
Novavax Vaccine 96% Effective Against Original Coronavirus, 86% Effective Against UK Variant
(Reuters)
School Reopening Without Robust COVID-19 Mitigation Risks Accelerating The Pandemic
(The Lancet)
COVID-19’s Toll On Americans’ Mental Health
(NPR)
How Europe Lost Control Of COVID-19
(Time)
Brazil’s Hospitals Buckle In Absence Of National Virus Plan
(Associated Press)

UPDATE for THURSDAY March 11 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 595,264 (+1,657)
Deaths: 16,509 (+53)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2321 (+20) Currently Active – 189 -(-20)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2178 (+32).  Active Cases: 194 (-15)
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 – 29,862,164 (+59,922)
Confirmed Deaths – 542,191 (+1617)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 118,740,261
Deaths: 2,634,166 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Massachusetts Is Launching Vaccine Preregistration System On Friday
(Boston.com)
Photos: A Year Of COVID-19 Emergency In Massachusetts
(Boston.com)
By The Numbers: What We’ve Lost In Massachusetts In A Year Of Pandemic
(WBUR)
Four Dates Set Aside For MA Educators At Mass Vaccination Sites
(WCVB)
Higher Ed Faculty And Staff Lagging In Vaccinations
(National Education Association)
Confident Of Supply, Most States Expand Vaccine Access
(New York Times)
CDC: A Year Into The Pandemic, COVID Numbers Are Way Too High To Relax
(CNN)
Seattle’s Virus Success Shows What Might Have Been
(New York Times)
How COVID Disparities Among Children Add Up
(STAT News)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY March 10 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 593,604 (+1,263)
Deaths: 16,456 (+21)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – ???? (+?) Currently Active – 209 -(-31)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2146 (+7).  Active Cases: 209 (+22)
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 – 29,802,242 (+57,590)
Confirmed Deaths – 540,574 (+1946)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 118,278,693
Deaths: 2,624,426 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Students Express Concern Over Re-opening of On Campus In-Person Dining
(Daily Collegian)
Mass Middle Schools Will Be Required To Reopen On April 28
(Boston Globe)
Boston School Bus Drivers Picket. Demand Vaccines and Bus Yard Testing
(Boston Globe)
Alaska Extends Vaccine Eligibility To Everyone 16 Years Of Age And Older
(Must Read Alaska)
Breaking Down What COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Means
(Time)
The Search For Animals Harboring Coronavirus. Why It Matters
(Nature)
We Are Still Grieving Our Last Good Days
(The Atlantic)
Late Stage Pandemic – We Are Forgetting How To Be Normal
(The Atlantic)

UPDATE for TUESDAY March 9 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 592,344 (+988)
Deaths: 16,435 (+18)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2301 (+47) Currently Active – 240 -(-11)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2146 (+7).  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 – 29,744,652 (+47,464)
Confirmed Deaths – 538,628 (+787)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 117,831,312
Deaths: 2,613,845 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Pledges Action Against Students Involved In Large Off-Campus Weekend Party
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
Mass Educators Booked 25,000 Vaccine Appointments At CVS In Last Three Daya
(WCVB Boston)
CDC Lists Guidelines For Safe Activities For Vaccinated People
(NPR)
Brazil’s COVID Crisis Is A Warning To The Whole World
(New York Times)

UPDATE for MONDAY March 8 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 591,536 (+1,425)
Deaths: 16,417 (+43)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2254 (+0) Currently Active – 251 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2139 (+21).  Active Cases: 198 (-8)
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 – 29,697,188 (+ 43,337)
Confirmed Deaths – 537,841 (+722)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 117,522,548
Deaths: 2,606,874 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Professors Respond To New UMass Student COVID Testing Enforcement
(The Daily Collegian)
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Decline In Massachusetts Since Start Of Vaccine Rollout
(NBC Boston)
CDC Links Restaurant Dining and Lack Of Mandates To Virus’ Spread In US
(New York Times)
Fauci Warns Against Lifting COVID Restrictions But Red States Push On
(The Guardian)
What Coronavirus Variants Mean For The End Of The Pandemic
(The New Yorker)
Noah Yuval Harari: Lessons From A Year Of COVID (paywall removed)
(The Financial Times)

UPDATE for SUNDAY March 7 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 589,931 (+1,722)
Deaths: 16,374 (+52)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2254 (+0) Currently Active – 251 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2118 (+16).  Active Cases: 206 (-3)
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 – 29,653,851 (+ 59,110)
Confirmed Deaths – 537,119 (+1,553)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 117,172,631
Deaths: 2,601,523 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
US Is At Tipping Point Of Another Surge. That’s Why Safety Measures Remain Crucial
(CNN)
Europe Staggers As Coronavirus Variants Power New Surge
(AP)
The Brazilian Coronavirus Variant. What We Know About P1
(The Guardian)
Coronavirus Crisis In Brazil Deepens As Death Toll Spikes. No Fix Seems To Work
(Bloomberg)

UPDATE for SATURDAY March 6 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 588,209 (+1,899)
Deaths: 16,322 (+26)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2254 (+27) Currently Active – 251 -(+5)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2102 (+30).  Active Cases: 209 (-+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 – 29,594,741 (+ 68,655)
Confirmed Deaths – 535,566 (+1,930)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 116,778,853
Deaths: 2,593,963 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
CVS Expands Coronavirus Vaccination Sites To 136 MA Pharmacies
(Patch.com)
Mass Education Commissioner Given The Authority To Force School Districts To Bring Students Back To The Classroom Full Time
(Boston Globe)
UK Variant B1.1.1.7 Is Spreading Fast In US
(New York Times)
Spring Break Could Be The Perfect Storm For Spreading Coronavirus Variants
(CNN)
Mask Mandates Linked To Decrease In COVID-19 Cases
(NPR)
Black People Need Better Vaccine Access, Not Better Vaccine Attitudes
(New York Times)
America’s COVID-19 Deaths Explained In Eight Charts And Maps
(Vox)
Who Is Making Billions From COVID Vaccines?
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for FRIDAY March 5 as of 7 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 586,310 (+1,567)
Deaths: 16,296 (+44)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2227 (+178) Currently Active – 246 -(+27)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 2072 (+89).  Active Cases: 203 (-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 – 29,526,086 (+ 68,845)
Confirmed Deaths – 533,636 (+1,979
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 116,324,122
Deaths: 2,583,565 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
UMass Vaccine Clinic To Post New Appointments Today (3/5) At 6 PM
(UMass.edu)
Fauci Says Moves To Reopen Now Inexplicable
(Washington Post)
US Vaccination Pace Increases To 2 Million Doses A Day
(New York Times)
The Best Global Responses To The COVID-19 Pandemic
(Time)
Brazil’s COVID Crisis Is A Warning To The Whole World
(New York Times)
Fresh Air Is The Key To Safer Classrooms
(BBC)
Ventilation In Schools And Childcare Programs
(CDC)
Pool Testing: Massachusetts Might Have A Way To Keep Schools Open
(The Atlantic)
Five Ways To Build A Better Vaccination Registrations Site For Massachusetts
(Boston Globe)
Great Apes Given COVID Vaccine After Outbreak At San Diego Zoo
(The Guardian)

UPDATE for THURSDAY March 4 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 584,743 (+1,899)
Deaths: 16,252 (+70)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2049 (-112) Currently Active – 219 -(+13)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1985 (+60).  Active Cases: 227 (+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 – 29,457,241 (+ 86,536)
Confirmed Deaths – 531,657 (+2,443)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 115,816,816
Deaths: 2,573,792 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Off Campus Students Living In Amherst See Higher Risk Of Contracting COVID-19
(Amherst Student)
Amherst College Sees Uptick In COVID-19 Cases In Second Week Of Spring Semester
(Amherst Student)
Baker Announces Mass Teachers Can Begin Signing Up For COVID Vaccine On March 11
(WHDH Boston)
27 Percent Of Teachers Considering Quitting Their Jobs Because Of COVID-19
(CNBC)
Biden Denounces States Lifting Mask Mandates
(New York Times)
Five Pandemic Mistakes We Keep Repeating
(The Atlantic)
The False Dilemma Of Post-Vaccination Risk
(The Atlantic)
Women And The Pandemic
(Time)

UPDATE for WEDNESDAY March 3 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 582,844 (+301)
Deaths: 16,182 (+38)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2061 (-11) Currently Active – 206 -(-18)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1985 (+60).  Active Cases: 176 (+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 – 29,370,705 (+ 56,451)
Confirmed Deaths – 529,214 (+1,988)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 115,408,213
Deaths: 2,562,863 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Pressure Mounts For Massachusetts To Vaccinate Educators
(Boston Globe)
CDC Guidelines Suggest Only One MA County Should Fully Reopen Schools
(Boston.com)
Texas And Other States Ease Rules Despite Warnings
(BBC)
Experts Warn Of New COVID Surge
(CNN)
Coronavirus Variant Races Through Italy. Especially Among Children
(Yahoo Finance)

UPDATE for TUESDAY March 2 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 582,543 (+1,395)
Deaths: 16,114 (+26)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2161 (+63) Currently Active – 224 -(-24)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1925 (+11).  Active Cases: 151 (-3)
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 – 29,314,254 (+ 57,384)
Confirmed Deaths – 527,226 (+1,446)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 115,096,040
Deaths: 2,552,344 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:
Vaccine Appointments Cancelled At Northampton Regional Center Due to Supply Shortage
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
US Needs To Hold On For Another 2-3 Months Without Easing Up On COVID-19 Measures Experts Say
(CNN)
The Coronavirus Is Threatening A Comeback. Here’s How To Stop It
(New York Times)
CDC Chief Warns Of Potential Fourth Surge
(The Guardian)
B.1.1.7 Variant Represents 10% of US Cases And Rising
(ars technica)
Biden To Announce Historic Partnership With Merck To Produce J & J Vaccine
(Washington Post)
What You Need To Know About J & J’s New Vaccine
(Science News)
Secret Tips On How To Book Your Vaccine On Line
(Boston Magazine)

UPDATE for MONDAY March 1 as of 8 AM
Confirmed Cases in MA – 581,148 (+1,468)
Deaths: 16,118 (+51)
Confirmed Cases Amherst – 2098 (+0) Currently Active – 248 -(+0)
UMass: Cumulative Positive Cases: 1914 (+17).  Active Cases: 154 (-8)
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 – 29,256,870 (+ 54,046)
Confirmed Deaths – 525,780 (+1,111)
Source: Worldometers 
Confirmed Cases Worldwide: 114,763,547
Deaths: 2,544,519 Source: Worldometers see also: Johns Hopkins University.

News:

Phase 3 Step 2 Of Reopening Begins In MA Today. More Restrictions Relaxed
(NBC Boston)
Experts Criticize Monday’s State Reopening
(Boston Globe)
How Hadley Has Kept Schools Open During The Pandemic
(Daily Hampshire Gazette)
US Begins Distribution of J & J Vaccine. Concern Grows Over Latest Case Counts
(CNN)
Finland Had A Patent-Free COVID-19 Vaccine Nine Months Ago But Went With Big Pharma Instead
(Jacobin)
Ventilation Is Critical For Stopping COVID-19 Spread In Schools
(CNN)
Real World Proof That Coronavirus Vaccines Work
(Time)
Five Pandemic Mistakes We Keep Repeating
(The Atlantic)