Health officials in Springfield say they're seeing COVID-19 related data continuing to head in the right direction.
Positive tests for the coronavirus have been dropping steadily in recent days in Springfield, while the leaders of both Baystate Medical Center and Mercy Hospital said they've been seeing a decrease in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
At a press conference Monday, Helen Caulton-Harris, Springfield's commissioner of health and human services, thanked residents for their cooperation with several measures to help limit the spread of the virus.
"The face coverings: working," Caulton-Harris said. "Social distancing: working. Staying at home if you're sick is working, and hand hygiene."
But she also urged them not to let their guard down.
"We asked as you've been asked many times, to stay vigilant, to continue to do those things that we know will protect you, your families and each other," Caulton-Harris said.
There have been 2,400 cases of COVID-19 in Springfield, about 40% of the total for Hampden County.
Caulton-Harris said 101 people have died while testing positive from the coronavirus in the city. Fifty-two of the victims were white, 27 Hispanic, 21 black and one Asian.