COVID-19: May 15, 2020 Update From Representative Dykema

May 15 Coronavirus Update

As we prepare for Monday’s release of additional reopening guidance, it is important to remember the general concerns we as a state must address as we move thoughtfully toward a long-term “new normal.” To prevent increased community transmission and a “second wave” of infections, it will be essential to allow for remote work in industries where this is possible and to provide safety measures and protective equipment in industries where it is not. We also have to think carefully about the ancillary challenges that reopening creates, like ensuring that workers with children have access to childcare and that those who rely on public transit can use it safely.

When new guidance is rolled out, both on Monday and in coming weeks and months, some may feel that the state is moving either too quickly or too slowly. Please know that none of these decisions are made lightly, and are only implemented after consulting countless experts and stakeholders. At the end of the day, any decisions about reopening that are made are based on a careful evaluation of both public health and economic considerations.

In the meantime, today the Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced the launch of a statewide COVID-19 test locator, where you can search your location and find nearby testing sites for anyone who needs a COVID-19 test. Anyone looking to get tested needs to contact the test site directly, but this tool will be helpful as we ramp up our testing capacity.

New Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

Source: Department of Public Health data
  • There are 83,421 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 1,239 new cases and 110 deaths as of today at 4pm. 
  • Overall, over 435,000 tests have been conducted by public and private sources. 11% of the 11,318 tests reported today were positive.
  • 2,767 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 92 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 5/15, 53% of the Commonwealth’s 17,600 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 42% of the region’s 2,400 beds are available for new patients.
  • Personal Protective Equipment: PPE distribution continues across the Commonwealth, with over 1,775,000 pieces of PPE distributed in the MetroWest region, including over 340,000 N95/KN95 masks and 136 ventilators.
  • Mobile testing: The MA National Guard mobile testing unit continues to visit and conduct tests at the Commonwealth’s long-term care facilities, having made 684 visits and conducted 42,077 tests as of 5/14.
  • As a reminder, daily dashboards also include facility-by-facility information on COVID-19 case numbers in skilled nursing facilities across the Commonwealth. Families with nursing home-related questions can also call the Nursing Home Resource Line at (617) 660-5399.
  • Those wishing to access the statewide COVID-19 test locator can visit https://mass.gov/covidtestmap to find a provider close to them.
  • Today, UMass Memorial also provided an update as of 5/11 on their acute care bed availability across their system. Overall they have 81 beds, or 45% of overall capacity, available this week. Full details can be found in the graphic below:

Reopening Update

  • The final guidance from the Reopening Advisory Board will be released on Monday, May 18th. Businesses and residents are reminded that all current advisories are in place until new guidance is issued, including the stay-at-home advisory, face covering advisories, and essential business guidance.
  • So far, the Reopening Advisory Board reports receiving over 3,400 comments via the website and through its meetings with stakeholders. As a reminder, anyone wishing to submit comments to the Reopening Advisory Board can still do so online.
  • If you would like to review the outline of the four-phase reopening approach released earlier this week, you can view it here.

Education

  • Today, the Commissioner of Education announced that school districts now have until Friday, June 19 to submit the district improvement plans required by the Student Opportunity Act to the Department. For other education-related updates, students, families, and educators are encouraged to visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19

Legislative Update

  • Today, the Governor signed H.4677 into law. This legislation allows for short-term emergency borrowing by the state Treasurer to account for revenue changes due to the tax filing deadline being changed. This will help stabilize state revenues to ensure continued funding of state service, while offering workers and families additional time to submit income tax payments for 2019.
  • Today, the U.S. House passed the HEROES Act, a fourth round of the federal COVID-19 response legislation that contains $3 trillion in funding to support the public health and economic response to the pandemic. Massachusetts is projected to receive $12 billion in direct aid from the current proposal and $1.5 billion in education-specific aid. The bill now travels to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

Additional Items

  • The administration has begun the process of distributing $502 million in federal aid to cities and towns for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 response. Full guidance and eligible costs can be found here, including how cities and towns can work with the Division of Local services to address any concerns.
  • New resources on managing isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic are now available online at https://mass.gov/CopingDuringCOVID. These resources, which include information specific to seniors, supplement existing resources like the 2-1-1 line and existing statewide emotional wellbeing supports.

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.

HollistonHopkintonSouthboroughWestborough

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 resourceshttps://carolyndykema.com/covid19-state-resources

Department of Unemployment Assistancehttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Department of Transitional Assistancehttps://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 advisoryResidents 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.

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