May 26 Coronavirus Update

I hope you had a restful, safe, and reflective Memorial Day weekend. If you missed your Town’s virtual Memorial Day recognition ceremony, I have included links in the news section below and encourage you to take a moment to think about all those who have given their lives for our country.

I wanted to also provide a brief update on the recent trends in our public health numbers through the weekend in addition to today’s data update. The trends of key metrics on the pandemic’s impact are mostly good news: we have seen slow but steady declines in hospitalizations, daily reported deaths, and positive test rates over the last few weeks.

As a reminder, we will not advance to the next phase of our reopening until we have sustained trends in six key public health metrics, including testing capacity and contact tracing. Following the data, rather than an arbitrary timeline, allows us to be confident that we can proceed safely with reopening more of our economy and increasing flexibility in our daily life.

New Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

• There are 93,693 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 422 new cases and 57 deaths as of today at 4pm. 
• The average new cases over the last 7 days is 1,067, and the average number of deaths is 91.
• 8.6% of the 4,692 tests reported today were positive, with a 7-day weighted average positive test rate of 8.6%.
• 2,108 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 24 from yesterday and 215 since Friday’s newsletter
• The Department of Public Health regularly releases 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.

Reopening Update

• As of yesterday, the following businesses are allowed to open: laboratory and life sciences, hair salons and barber shops (appointment only), pet grooming (appointment only curbside), car washes, outdoor recreation businesses, health providers (pediatric care and high-priority preventative care), retail (remote fulfillment and curbside), and offices outside Boston (remote work encouraged, 25% capacity limit). More information can also be found at mass.gov/reopening.
• If you need additional guidance or have questions, either as an employer or a worker, you can submit questions and comments on reopening using the online contact form or via email.

Health Care

• Hospital Capacity: As of  5/26, 56% of the Commonwealth’s 17,400 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 50% of the region’s 2,600 beds are available for new patients.
• Personal Protective Equipment: PPE distribution continues across the Commonwealth, with over 2,161,000 pieces of PPE distributed in the MetroWest region, including over 438,000 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 746 visits and conducted 46,930 tests as of 5/26.
• As of today, the 1,000-bed field hospital at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will no longer be accepting new patients as the additional capacity is no longer needed. Patients in the center and individuals in the respite side of the hospital will continue to be treated, and the center will remain in operation until all patients are safely discharged. This news reflects promising trends suggesting that, with continued social distancing efforts and staged reopening, the data does not indicate any further need for large sites of surge capacity beds.

Education

• Today, the Commissioner of Education has provided recommendations to to the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to modify the MCAS testing schedule to allow 10th grade students, who would have taken MCAS this spring and did not, to take the corresponding tests in grade 11. The full proposed adjusted testing schedule is available on the BESE site as well as an update on COVID-19 related actions taken by the Department to support students and families.
• In addition, the Commissioner has convened a 27-member return to school working group to develop guidance for a safe return to school for students, teachers, staff, and families through the summer and fall. The guidance will include information on learning environments, operations and procedures, and social/emotional learning.
• Governor Baker will deliver a commencement address to the high school Class of 2020 as part of a celebration for graduating seniors from 668 public and private schools across the Commonwealth, to be aired on WGBH at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9.

Parks and Recreation

1. The Department of Conservation and Recreation has begun to open back up parking at beaches and state parks in locations across the Commonwealth that had previously been closed, while maintaining hygiene and safety restrictions like restroom closures, sports bans, and limits on equipment use. DCR parking will only reopen with municipal approval and beach parking in Revere and Boston remains closed at this time.
2. A helpful informational flyer on how to safely visit state parks during the pandemic can be found here.

Food Resources

• Last week, the administration announced $56 million in funding to combat food insecurity related to COVID-19, including funding for food pantry infrastructure, increased delivery capacity, and a $5 million increase for the Healthy Incentives Program, which supports both local farmers and SNAP recipients.
• General information on SNAP benefits can be found here, and information on the special Pandemic-EBT program to provide meals to those who normally receive free or reduced-price lunches can be found here.
• A searchable map of public food resources maintained by MEMA can be found here.

Legislative Update

• Today, the House of Representatives passed a new version of legislation to update COVID-19 reporting requirements and standards to ensure that transparent and accessible information on the Commonwealth’s pandemic response is available to all. The new language now travels to the Senate for consideration.
• The House also passed legislation to allow additional flexibility for towns in managing deadlines for budgets and Town Meeting, including allowing for remote meeting and reduced quorums in municipalities that wish to implement these policies.

Additional Items

• Residents having trouble paying their heating bills may still apply for the state’s Fuel Assistance program (formerly the Low Income Heating Assistance Program) until May 29th. More information, including income eligibility thresholds and FAQ, can be found online or by calling (800) 632-8175.
• Town Memorial Day observances can be found below:
  • Holliston
  • Hopkinton
  • Southborough *Rep. Dykema remarks only. Full ceremony will be on SAM soon.
  • Westborough

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

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
• CARES Act Unemployment Changes
• Unemployment Town Halls

Department of Transitional Assistance: https://www.mass.gov/dta-covid-19-resources-and-support

• Pandemic-EBT benefits for schoolchildren

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 drop-off 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

Safer at Home: As of May 18, the statewide stay-at-home advisory is now the Safer at Home advisory. In many ways, this advisory remains in the same spirit as previous policies: You should practice social distancing and limit your non-essential interactions as much as possible. 

Face Covering: As reopening continues, the statewide face covering advisory remains in effect for public indoor and outdoor spaces in situations where social distancing is not possible. The full advisory and detailed guidance can be found online.

Reopening Guidance: For more information on the state’s phased reopening plan and particular industry-specific guidance, visit mass.gov/reopening. For questions about business reopening timelines, visit this page.

A list of all executive orders in place during the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 state of emergency can be found here.