COVID-19: June 10, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
June 10 Coronavirus Update
One of the most important aspects of our transition to phase 2 of reopening is the ability of health care providers to resume more services, including non-urgent preventative care, pediatric care, and dental visits. During the height of the pandemic, when our hospitals and health care providers were primarily focused on COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, most services that were not time-sensitive were suspended. However, so much of our health care system that we take for granted, whether it’s a dental cleaning or a routine visit with your child’s pediatrician, is essential to making sure we stay healthy and prevent more serious problems down the road.
Detailed Phase 2 guidance on health care providers can be found here, and a brief one-page summary of the changes in phase 2 can be found here. You can also review the chart below for a basic guide. Generally speaking, most routine office visits and preventative care services are now allowed to resume, with exceptions for elective cosmetic surgery and non-essential procedures that require high PPE use. Health care providers are required to have adequate PPE supplies and infection control plans, and telehealth should still be prioritized whenever possible. If you have questions about specific services or need to schedule or reschedule appointments, you should contact your health care provider directly.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state has 104,156total reported positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 267 new cases and 46 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 367, and the average number of deaths is 44.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 4.2%.
- 1,345 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 52 from yesterday.
- 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.
Health Care System
- Hospital Capacity: As of 6/10, 53% of the Commonwealth’s 17,200 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 52% of the region’s 2,900 beds are available for new patients.
- Long-term care: As of 6/10, there are 364 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 22,526 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 4,671 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.
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 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.
