Widespread In Mass.: The Variant First Identified In U.K.

Also: A COVID cluster on Cape Cod; low vaccination rates among Latinos raise concerns in Chelsea ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  [Donate [WBUR]]( [View in Browser](  [WBUR]( March 26, 2021 Good Morning Boston, 🚿 A chance of showers, mainly before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. We've been talking a lot about vaccinations, but now we have to focus on the other "v" word: variants. They're likely responsible, in part, for the uptick in positive cases we're seeing across the state: - The number of communities at high risk for the coronavirus is [up for the second week]( in a row. There are now 32 cities and towns with that designation, up 12 from last week – and nearly half of the new communities are on Cape Cod (more on that in a moment). Gov. Charlie Baker said the state has also been seeing an uptick in cases among people under the age of 30. He's urging residents to remember that the mask mandate is still in effect, as well as restrictions on businesses. (I'm urging you to remember that [double masking adds more protection]( Plus, if you don't feel well, stay home and get tested. Nothing new here, but it seems we all may need a reminder. - The weekly report from the state shows the variant first identified in the U.K. is becoming more common in Massachusetts, and is considered widespread for the first time. The state report also showed some evidence of community spread for the variant first identified in Brazil. Important to note: The CDC is using viral genome sequencing to try and track COVID variants, but they only sequence a small portion of cases so it's likely there are many more variant cases than we currently even know about. And another note: Earlier this month, NPR explained [what you should know about variants]( which feels like an exceptionally important read now if you missed it. - Cape Cod has a [new COVID cluster]( in Barnstable county. There's been more than 1,000 new positive COVID-19 tests in the past 14 days. The Cape's positive test rate is more than double the statewide average. - The state's weekly school report also shows an uptick in cases. Nearly 1,000 students and school workers tested positive for COVID last week, a 36% increase compared to the week before. About three quarters of all cases are among students. - The pandemic has caused a backlog of thousands of jury trials. To start chipping away, the state will [resume trials in some unusual locations]( outside of courthouses starting next month. The off-site locations – including a banquet hall, a cinema and some hotels – will allow for better ventilation and space for distancing. - The statewide service to bring vaccinations to residents in their homes [begins next week](. The program is expected to bring shots to roughly 25,000 homebound residents, offering doses either through local boards of health or a statewide service. Homebound residents (or their relatives) can call 1-844-771-1628 to begin scheduling an in-home vaccine appointment. - In non-COVID news: After months of going back and forth between the legislature and governor’s office, Gov. Charlie Baker said he’s planning to [sign the landmark climate bill into law](. It's the most significant update to Massachusetts environmental law since 2008. - The Franklin Park Zoo will be opening a new habitat for its six gorillas. The $8 million new space, funded by an anonymous donor, will give the gorillas more room to roam and is slated to open this summer. This is my favorite exhibit at this zoo so I personally can't wait to check it out. P.S.– Don't forget to [take our short survey](. We want to better understand – and serve – our loyal digital audience (AKA you!). Thanks in advance. — Meagan McGinnes [@meaganmcginnes]( newsletters@wbur.org The Rundown [1.](url)[Low Vaccination Rates Among Latinos Raise Concerns In Chelsea, Ravaged By The Pandemic]( Cases in Chelsea have declined from their peak this past winter. But now Chelsea faces a new problem: Low vaccination rates among Latinos, who account for most if of its residents. [Read more.](   #%23%23[Twitter](  #%23%23[Facebook](    2. [200 Million Shots In 100 Days: Biden Issues New Vaccination Goal]( About 2.5 million vaccine doses are being administered every day in the United States. [Read more.]( - Related: [Biden Says He Expects To Run For A 2nd Term]( - Opinion: [No Yelling, No Insults. Joe Biden Answered Questions — And That Felt Remarkable]( 3. [Mass. Psychiatrists Concerned About Increase In Suicidal Thoughts, Attempts Among Adolescents]( Boston Children's Hospital reports that between July and October of last year it saw a 47% increase, over the same period the year before, in kids needing to be hospitalized for suicidal ideation or attempts. And the uptick from last year has continued. [Read more.]( 4. [Massachusetts Unemployment Claims Continue To Increase As National Filings Hit Fewest Since Pandemic]( More than 33,000 residents filed for the first time last week, an increase of nearly 12,000 thousand filings from the week prior. And it's the fourth-straight week that filings are up in the state. [Read more.]( 5. [Police Arrest Georgia Lawmaker As Governor Signs Law Overhauling Elections]( Democratic state Rep. Park Cannon, a Black woman, continued knocking on Kemp's office door after Georgia State Patrol troopers instructed her to stop. She's now facing a charge of obstructing law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence and she faces a second charge of disrupting general assembly sessions or other meetings of members. [Read more.]( Support the news Anything Else? - Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute on Cape Cod are [testing out a new camera]( that could protect North Atlantic right whales from being struck by ships. - The Brattle is celebrating its [20th anniversary]( with a yearlong, virtual retrospective of favorites that premiered at the theater over the past two decades. - It's OK to laugh, writes Courtney E. Cole [in this commentary](. In a year when we have lost so much, sometimes it’s the littlest things that hit the hardest. Connection looks different now, but it's there for us to find. [WBUR] Your Daily Must Listen [The Pandemic Pushed People Outside And Now, Some Companies Hope They Stay There]( [Listen]( COVID-19 VACCINES [When And How Can I Get My Vaccine Shot?]( Here's Why COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe. [Read more.]( Clinical Trials, Speed And Special Technology: Developing The COVID Vaccines. [Read more.]( Asked & Answered: Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions. [Read more.]( 📬 Get the latest on vaccine safety protocols, side effects, local distribution plans & more in your inbox. [Sign up for our coronavirus newsletter and alerts.]( What We're Reading - The Link Between Deadly Lettuce Outbreaks and a Warming Planet ([Eater]( - Sesame Workshop Is Talking More Explicitly About Race—and Welcoming Two Black Muppets ([TIME]( - The NCAA’s shell game is the real women’s basketball scandal ([The Washington Post]( Tell Me Something Good [3 Flourless, Yeast-Free Passover Dessert Recipes For A Sweet End To Your Seder]( How do you make cakes and cookies and sweet treats without flour or yeasted foods? Think whipped egg whites, toasted coconut, flourless chocolate cakes and chocolate mousse, ground nuts and nut flours instead of wheat flour, and lots of fresh fruit. Before you go: We must [send one backhoe.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📨 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. 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