COVID-19: June 3, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
June 3 Coronavirus Update
One of the most pressing concerns that families have been facing throughout this pandemic is the need to balance remote or in-person work with adequate childcare. As we enter the summer and begin to reopen childcare facilities along with summer camps in a safe, limited capacity, I wanted to provide additional details on the reopening and safety measures these facilities will be undertaking:
- Programs will screen all staff and children with health checks upon entering the facility.
- There will be one entrance point for drop-off and staggered drop-off windows to limit interactions among non-staff adults.
- Activities and programs will be redesigned to encourage outdoor activities and social distancing wherever possible.
- Emergency childcare will remain in operation during the transition period.
Summer camps will undergo similar screening processes and encourage face coverings for children over the age of 2. In addition, group sizes will be limited to 10 campers or fewer and limits on interactions between groups will be required before camps reopening. I recognize how challenging these measures will be for caregivers, parents and children and I hope you will stay in touch to offer your feedback as this process moves forward.
Programs will be required to report on their readiness to the Department of Early Education and Care prior to reopening. Detailed safety guidance and frequently asked questions for all youth-serving programs can be found online. In addition, the administration released detailed safety standards on outdoor sports leagues for adults and youth as well as sports camps, which will also be part of Phase 2 reopening.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state has 101,592 total reported positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 429 new cases and 68 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 551, and the average number of deaths is 66.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 5.9%.
- 1,684 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 27 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 6/3, 53% of the Commonwealth’s 17,300 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 6/3, there are 350 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 21,785 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 4,447 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.
Local Update
- This week’s town-by-town case numbers have been released. Information on our towns’ counts are below and you can review the full town-by-town list here.
- Holliston: 56 (+0 from 5/27)
- Hopkinton: 119 (+4 from 5/27)
- Southborough: 40 (+1 from 5/27)
- Westborough: 333 (+10 from 5/27)
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.
