April 21 Coronavirus Update

For the fifth consecutive day in a row, new cases of COVID-19 have dropped, although overall numbers remain relatively high. This is a promising sign that the “surge” numbers here in Massachusetts will stay within the capacity of our health care system, but this incremental progress will only continue if we maintain prevention policies until the spread is curbed entirely. 

Today, the Governor announced that school closures for childcare, pre-K, and K-12 programs will continue through June for all public and private schools. More details can be found in today’s newsletter below. In recognition of the challenges that this presents to working parents and families, the Executive Office of Education is working to continue to provide resources and supports for remote learning, child care resources, and online library resources.

Coronavirus Testing and Response

• There are 41,199 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 1,556 new cases and 1,961 deaths as of today at 4pm. 
• NEW The Department of Public Health has updated its daily reporting dashboard to include more detailed information on hospitalizations, demographic data, and county-by-county breakdowns. To view the new dashboard, check here. 
• The State Public Health Laboratory and private testing facilities have now conducted over 175,000 tests for COVID-19. Nearly 6,000 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours alone.

Health Care

• Personal protective equipment: PPE continues to be distributed across the Commonwealth. In the MetroWest region, roughly 750,000 pieces of PPE have been distributed, including 178,000 N95 masks and 158 ventilators. A detailed distribution chart updated through today can be found here.
• Hospital Bed Capacity: Massachusetts’s hospital bed capacity for the surge currently sits at 18,200 ICU and non-ICU beds. As of April 21, 56% of beds are available statewide, including 40% of beds in the MetroWest region.
• Mobile testing at long-term care facilities: The state’s National Guard mobile testing initiative continues, with the Department of Public Health reporting that 317 facilities have conducted 9,370 tests through yesterday.
• The Governor, along with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and health care providers across the Commonwealth, also urged people not to neglect essential health care services due to concerns over COVID-19. The state has expanded telehealth resources, online screening, and hospital capacity not just to deal with the influx of COVID-19 patients, but to ensure that Massachusetts residents can still get needed care for other critical medical conditions despite the increased demand for COVID-19 care.
• Today, the Department of Public Health announced it modified guidance for crisis standards of care for hospitals and other health care providers. DPH will also be convening an Equity Advisory Group to ensure that standards do not have disparate impacts across any demographic group.

Education

• Today, the administration announced that all public and private K-12 schools will remain closed and remote learning will continue through the end of the school year.
• Early education and child care programs will remain closed through June 29, 2020. The Department of Early Education and Care will continue to provide subsidies to licensed child care programs to ensure that the child care workforce remains supported.
• Emergency child care providers continue to operate at 523 facilities across the Commonwealth, providing care for approximately 2,500 children of front-line workers daily.
• The Massachusetts STEM Council has released a list of home learning resources for families, educators, and students of all ages. The list can be downloaded online here.
• The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education is deferring scheduled repayments for its No-Interest Loan Program for a duration of four months to support relief efforts during the COVID-19 emergency. These deferments will help approximately 12,000 students that participate in the $5 million program.

Unemployment and Worker Assistance

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance online applications are open for workers who are not normally eligible for unemployment benefits. This is a separate, unique system from the existing UI system and more information on eligibility, required information, and timing can be found online at https://mass.gov/pua.
• The regular unemployment benefits system continues to operate 7 days a week, supported by an 850-person call center and near-daily virtual town halls which have been attended by over 175,000 individuals. For more information on the UI system, including recent changes created by the CARES Act, visit this page.

Legislation

• The House of Representatives passed legislation requiring detailed daily reporting of COVID-19 cases and response in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. The bill now travels to the Senate for consideration.
• The Senate passed legislation allowing for notaries to conduct some of their normal duties virtually, using video conferencing software and additional alternative certification methods. The bill now travels to the House for consideration.

Transportation

• MassDOT has released detailed estimates of federal funding that the MBTA and regional transit authorities are expected to receive under the CARES Act. The MBTA is expected to receive $884 million in federal funds to support continued operations and preventative measures, and RTAs are expected to receive $213 million in federal funds, however, these numbers are projections and actual implementation may vary.

Additional Items:

• The Metropolitan Area Planning Commission has released a report assessing the impact of COVID-19 related layoffs on housing stability in Massachusetts. This report underscores the need for continued federal assistance to reduce impacts on families after the “first wave” of layoffs and benefits run their course. The full report can be read here.
• 1,785 members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been activated for COVID-19 response. Their roles include medical support for temporary alternative health care sites, delivery and coordination of PPE, administration of the state’s mobile testing program for long-term care facilities, and additional security for COVID-19 sites not covered by local public safety officials.

Resources for Residents Experiencing Job Loss or Loss of Income

COVID-19 is causing broad disruption to the economy which is affecting incomes of many residents and families. There are a number of state resources and supports available to support workers who may find themselves unemployed or otherwise income-constrained during this uncertain time. 

For your convenience, you can find a guide of resources and information at: https://carolyndykema.com/covid19-state-resources/.

Additional Guidance on Unemployment Assistance

• Updated Guidance for Self-Employed Individuals and those who have exhausted existing benefits.
• Massachusetts Employee Unemployment Benefits FAQ
• Department of Unemployment Assistance Virtual Town Hall Schedule and Sign-Up