COVID-19: May 14, 2020 Update From Representative Dykema
May 14 Coronavirus Update
While our statewide numbers continue to slowly improve and we work to make plans to increase our future testing capacity in anticipation of staged reopening, we have to be mindful of the very real and constantly-changing threats that this virus presents.
Today, the Department of Public Health issued guidance about Pediatric Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS), a disease associated with COVID-19 exposure in children that can be very serious. As of today, 9 cases of PMIS in hospitalized children have been reported, with dozens more in neighboring states. The full DPH memo can be read here.
Individuals with family who have tested positive for COVID-19 and children in close contact are cautioned to look out for symptoms such as fever, rash, red eyes, cracked lips, abdominal pain, swollen or red hands or feet, even if the child was never sick. If symptoms do emerge, caretakers should contact their children’s pediatrician as soon as possible.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- There are 82,182 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 1,685 new cases and 167deaths as of today at 4pm.
- Overall, over 410,000 tests have been conducted by public and private sources. 12% of the 14,329 tests reported today were positive.
- 2,859 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 242 from yesterday.
- The Department of Public Health has regularly released a daily reporting dashboard containing detailed information on hospitalizations, demographic data, and county-by-county breakdowns of cases. To view the DPH dashboard, visit here.
Health Care
- Hospital Capacity: As of 5/14, 53% of the Commonwealth’s 17,700 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 40% of the region’s 2,500 beds are available for new patients.
- Personal Protective Equipment: PPE distribution continues across the Commonwealth, with over 1,688,000 pieces of PPE distributed in the MetroWest region, including over 338,000 N95/KN95 masks and 136 ventilators.
- Mobile testing: The MA National Guard mobile testing unit continues to visit and conduct test at the Commonwealth’s long-term care facilities, having made 663 visits and conducted 40,867 tests as of 5/14.
- This week, the Department of Public Health temporarily suspended certain training requirements for nurse aides entering the workforce in high-need areas like skilled nursing facilities, allowing for timeframes for training requirements to be waived if facilities are able to ensure staff receive the necessary information and skills in a timely manner. The full order can be read here.
- Today, the Governor announced our short- and long-term testing targets for the Commonwealth: we are targeting a 45,000 test daily capacity by July and 75,000 daily tests by December. Currently, Massachusetts has lab capacity for 30,000 tests a day but operational constraints mean we only process about 10,000 tests daily.
- CVS will be expanding its drive-thru testing operations to nine new sites this week and, beginning Friday, May 15, patients will be able to sign up for tests online at https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
- The statewide testing expansion plan presentation can be reviewed in full here.
Economy and Workforce
- Anyone who believes their economic impact payments have landed in the hands of an identity thief can report it to the FTC and the IRS at the same time by going to www.identitytheft.gov to complete an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit and submit it electronically to the IRS.
- For the duration of the declared state of emergency, customers can purchase beer or wine as part of a take-out or delivery food order from operating local on-site pouring establishments (bars, restaurants, etc.). Alcohol orders are limited to 192 ounces of malt (about 16 cans of beer) or up to 1.5 liters of wine (2 bottles) and must be in sealed containers.
- As a reminder, anyone wishing to submit comments to the Reopening Advisory Board can do so online. If you would like to review the outline of the four-phase reopening approach released yesterday, you can view it here.
Legislative Update
- Today, the Senate enacted H.4677, which would allow for short-term emergency borrowing by the state Treasurer to account for revenue changes due to the tax filing deadline being changed. Having already been enacted by the House, the bill now travels to the Governor for his signature.
- The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a virtual hearing on vote-by-mail legislation to allow for expanded remote voting options in upcoming elections. The full hearing was livestreamed and can be viewed online here. Details on the bills being considered can be found here and written testimony can be submitted to the committee by email until tomorrow at 5pm.
Additional Items
- Project Bread has updated its list of COVID-19 specific food resources to include information on Pandemic-EBT benefits for schoolchildren in addition to existing and expanded resources for those experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.
- As a reminder, anyone experiencing abuse or sexual or relationship violence can access county-by-county domestic violence services here, by visiting the Commonwealth’s Safelink page, or by calling 2-1-1 or 877-785-2020.
Local Resources
All of the towns in the 8th Middlesex District now have centralized COVID-19 resource pages with resources, updates, and alerts regarding town services.
Holliston | Hopkinton | Southborough | Westborough
The Department of Public Health also releases weekly reports on town-by-town COVID-19 case numbers and rates, which can be found online here.
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.
Guide for job/income loss resources: https://carolyndykema.com/covid19-state-resources
Department of Unemployment Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance
Department of Transitional Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/dta-covid-19-resources-and-support
How You Can Help
Holliston Youth and Family Services requests your support of the Community Action Fund, which provides emergency assistance to those affected by COVID-19. Learn more or donate here.
The Westborough Rotary Club has launched a COVID-19 Community Relief Fund to provide assistance to those affected by COVID-19. Learn more or donate here.
The American Red Cross is asking for blood donations, the need for which is significant due to blood drive cancellations.The need is dire due to the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives. People can donate at the Worcester American Red Cross Donor Center, 381 Plantation St. Worcester or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Some local donor sites, including the Natick Senior Center, are available for appointments as well.
Information on our local food pantries can be found below. The most pressing need right now is cash donations to ensure that food dropoff and delivery do not inadvertently contribute to the spread of the virus.
Holliston Pantry Shelf | Project Just Because | Southborough Food Pantry | Westborough Food Pantry
Current Statewide Advisories
Stay at Home: Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities until May 18th. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people unless absolutely necessary.
Face Covering: To maintain behaviors that limit the spread of COVID-19 and to prepare for the precautions necessary once the state begins to reopen, Governor Baker has issued an advisory requiring masks or cloth face coverings in public indoor and outdoor spaces in situations where social distancing is not possible. The full advisory and detailed guidance can be found online.
A list of all executive orders in place during the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 state of emergency can be found here.
