Springfield continues to try to get a handle on the Covid 19 virus. Mayor Dom Sarno says the city has lost more than 2 point 3 million dollars because of the virus and has spent more than 4 point one million dollars to fight it. It is money that the city could get back in part through the next round of emergency funding.
Health and Human Service Commissioner Helen Calulton Harris says 1,180 cases of the virus are now recorded in the city. There have been 3,2 29 cases in Hampden County alone,
Baystate Health Systems President Dr Mark Keroac told reporters today that the hospital has done about 5 thousand tests. A thousand positive cases. 4 thousand negative.
Dr Robert Roose over at Mercy Medical Center says the Trinity Health system has done 43 hundred tests with approximately 14 hundred positive cases.
Springfield Public Safety appears to be in good shape despite having people out because of the virus. 6 police officers are recovering from the virus. 9 firefighters are out as well.
Springfield School officials, like those across the state are still working to come up with ways for seniors to graduate. A decision is expected at any time.
Mayor Dom Sarno says that there have been visits by members of the health department to determine if the essential businesses that were open were adhering to social distancing and the wearing of facial coverings. The Mayor says that many businesses are. He did mention by name Walmart in Springfield as a store that was not following those rules. The store is closed today for cleaning and restocking. The Mayor says that he hopes that the store does follow through on general health protocols at that facility.
Sarno says that the city is working quietly on ways to open city government. But he also says that it won’t be like the way it was at city hall. There will be more sanitation stations. More plastic sheathing in front of public areas to protect the public and employees.