COVID-19: June 9, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
June 9 Coronavirus Update
Today, I want to begin by offering my congratulations to all members the Class of 2020 in our community and all our students who are wrapping up the school year and looking forward. Their accomplishments are a testament to their resilience and dedication. I also want to congratulate and recognize the teachers and parents who adapted to remote learning and are doing everything they can to support their young learners.
Governor Baker will be delivering a commencement address to all members of the Class of 2020 tonight at 7:30 p.m. on WGBH and other local news channels. I encourage families with graduating seniors to take time this evening to celebrate this momentous occasion!
Looking forward, summertime education and plans for the reopening of schools in the fall are already at the front of many of our minds. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has convened a Return to School Working Group that will be releasing a detailed “return to school” workplan in the coming weeks, and the House of Representatives, led by Education Chair Alice Peisch, has convened an Early Education and Care Recovery Advisory Group to address the specific concerns that EEC families and providers face.
Most recently, the Department released guidance for schools looking to provide in-person summer instruction as well as reopening for in-person instruction in the fall. This guidance prioritizes high-need students, such as those with IEPs who need summer special education and those who have fallen behind as a result of the impacts of the pandemic. Key to returning to in-person instruction will be ensuring that schools have adequate setups and supplies of PPE. Schools may also need to rethink class sizes and setups to ensure that social distancing is possible. Schedules may need to be adjusted to ensure that classes remain physically separate.
The preparation required to safely provide in-person education will be challenging for teachers, administrators, and districts, and I cannot emphasize enough how hard our educators are working to continue providing the best possible education to students under unprecedented circumstances. Many of these changes will come with costs, and the Department has already begun accepting applications for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) grants using federal CARES Act funds to help schools pay for current and future costs of COVID-19 response. Returning to school will take thoughtful preparation, planning, and preparation, and I’m looking forward to supporting our state and local partners as we adapt to this new reality.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state has 103,889 total reported positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 263 new cases and 55 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 390, and the average number of deaths is 47.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 4.6%.
- 1,397 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 18 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 6/9, 55% of the Commonwealth’s 17,500 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 6/9, there are 363 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 22,479 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 4,630 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 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
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.
