2:49
Approaching the one-year anniversary of the coronavirus public health emergency in Massachusetts on Wednesday, there is optimism as new COVID-19 cases fall and vaccinations increase.
In Springfield, the weekly tally of new COVID-19 cases continues to decline from the peaks of earlier this winter.
"The numbers are skewing better," said Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.
Speaking at his weekly COVID-19 response briefing, Sarno said there were 391 new confirmed cases of the disease last week, down from 414 the week before. Springfield recorded 4,496 cases last December, 4,342 in January and 2170 last month.
"We are heading in the right direction," Sarno said. " We can't let our guard down. We must stay ever vigilant and we'll continue to work together and soon someday we won't have to wear these masks."