July 17 Coronavirus Update

I’ve often written in these newsletters about the importance of appreciating first responders, health care workers, public safety officials, and the many state and local agencies coordinating our COVID-19 response. Today, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tireless work of front-line workers who often operate in the background: our local boards of health and their staff.

Throughout the pandemic, our local boards of health have been the closest to the “eye of the storm” – helping facilitate testing and contact tracing, implementing virus prevention policies, providing information and resources to residents, and helping businesses make the changes they need to operate safely. In addition, much of the data that I regularly report in these newsletters, while compiled by the state Department of Public Health, is only available because of the diligent tracking and reporting done on the local level. We often don’t notice the work these boards do on a regular basis, because our water is drinkable, our businesses run smoothly, and our schools are safe. But we owe these departments a great debt of appreciation, particularly given the extra work they have taken on throughout this public health crisis.

You can contact your local board of health with any questions or to access resources here: Holliston, Hopkinton, Southborough, and Westborough.

New Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

• Today, the state saw 298 new reported positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 112,879 total cases and 22  reported deaths as of today at 4pm. 
• The average new cases over the last 7 days is 252, and the average number of deaths is 15.
• The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 1.7%.
• 515 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 42 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.

Heath Care

• Hospital Capacity: As of 7/17, 31% of the Commonwealth’s 12,400 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 29% of the region’s 2,100 beds are available for new patients.
• Long-term care: As of 7/17, there are 369 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 23,793 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 5,328 COVID-19 deaths have been reported in long-term care facilities.
• For information on COVID-19 testing and guidance on whether you should get tested, how to get tested, and where to get tested, visit the COVID-19 testing portal at mass.gov/gettested.

Local Update

• You can find this week’s DPH report on town-by-town COVID-19 testing and case numbers here, as well as counts of COVID-19 cases at long-term care facilities across the Commonwealth. Our towns’ numbers are below (through 7/15):
  • Holliston: 56 (+0)
  • Hopkinton: 131 (+0)
  • Southborough: 44 (+2)
  • Westborough: 336 (+1)
• In compliance with the new statewide data collection law, DPH has also begun reporting COVID-19 testing and infection rates at all state facilities, including state hospitals and congregate care facilities. You can find that data on this page.
• The statewide Department of Correction COVID-19 data can now be found in a new weekly report, which can be found here.

Reopening Update

• You can find information on Phase 3 of reopening, business safety standards, gatherings guidance, and other changes to statewide public health orders at mass.gov/reopening.
• In addition to the Attorney General’s workplace safety complaint form, you can also now report business compliance violations of COVID-19 safety guidance to local boards of health or the statewide Department of Labor Services. For more information, visit this page.

Education

• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released additional guidance and a timeline for school districts to submit their fall reopening plans. School districts will be required to submit preliminary reopening plan summary by July 31, and then submit a final comprehensive reopening plan to DESE and for public release by August 10. As a reminder, schools will have to develop plans for multiple scenarios of remote versus in-person learning.

Transportation

• As more workers return to work, the MBTA has begun the process of soliciting feedback from commuters on their needs and input. On Thursday, July 23 at 11am, the MBTA will be holding a virtual roundtable session with commuters. You can learn more and register here.
• Our Regional Transit Authorities are also collecting input from customers to gather updated information about user needs. You can fill out an online survey with your thoughts: MetroWest RTA, Worcester RTA.
• Front door boarding is returning for above-ground Green Line trains and MBTA buses, which had previously been suspended in an effort to protect driver safety. For more information, visit mbta.com/ridesafer.

Legislative Update

• The House and Senate approved final language on a $1.1 billion COVID-19 supplementary spending bill, which authorizes state spending of federal CARES Act funds to programs and services most needed. The legislation now travels to the Governor for his signature.
• The House and Senate also finalized language for legislation allowing restaurants to offer to-go cocktail service. Restaurants will now be able to sell up to 64 oz per transaction of sealed mixed drinks for to-go orders. The bill now travels to the Governor for his signature.
• The House and Senate finalized language on legislation to allow DPH to engage in increased arbovirus prevention and mosquito control efforts this summer, as well as creating a task force to create a long-term mosquito control plan. The bill now travels to the Governor for his signature.
• The Senate also passed a version of the $1 billion IT bond bill, which the House passed in formal sessions earlier this year. The bill now travels to a conference committee to resolve differences between the two versions before final passage.

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.