Cambridge Issues New Mask Advisory

CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Cambridge Public Health Department is urging residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask and practice physical distancing, amid a growing number of COVID-19 cases.

A massive spike in recent cases is said to be caused by the delta COVID variant spreading across Massachusetts and the country.

The City of Cambridge issued a statement Wednesday noting 83 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 just this month.

Of these 83 confirmed or probable cases in Cambridge, 42% were vaccine 'breakthrough' cases, meaning the person infected was fully vaccinated.

This advisory comes less than a week after a large spike in cases in Provincetown pushed city officials to vote in favor of advising people to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

Acting Boston Mayor Kim Janey said in a statement Thursday that Boston's public school students will be required to wear face masks at the start of classes in September.

However, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that he is staying firm on his plan not to reimpose statewide restrictions due to Massachusetts' high vaccination rate.

As of Tuesday, the State Department of Public Health said more than 5,100 Massachusetts residents had tested positive for COVID-19, despite being fully vaccinated against the virus, and at least 80 of them have died.