COVID-19: August 20, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
August 20 Coronavirus Update
As we approach the end of August, one of the top questions on everyone’s mind is how students will be returning to school and how learning models will keep students, staff, and families safe while preserving consistent access to high-quality education.
This week, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released a preliminary list of learning models by district and grade level based on school districts’ reopening plan submissions to the department. Our districts’ models and updated risk categories (as of 8/19) are below:
- Holliston (lower risk): in-person elementary, hybrid middle school, hybrid high school
- Hopkinton (lower risk): hybrid elementary, hybrid middle, hybrid high school
- Southborough (lower risk): hybrid elementary, hybrid middle
- Westborough (moderate risk): hybrid elementary, hybrid middle, hybrid high school
- Northborough-Southborough: hybrid
- Assabet Valley Vocational Technical: hybrid
Today, the Governor announced that to support school districts and reduce risk of spread in “clusters,” the Commonwealth would be offering mobile testing rapid response teams to deploy to schools to offer expanded intervention and testing in schools that meet certain conditions that would suggest increased risk. Conditions for rapid response deployment include: If 2+ students or staff within the classroom group develop COVID within a 14-day period and transmission exposure appeared to have occurred in the classroom; if >3% of the cohort or grade (at least 3 individuals) develop COVID-19 within 14 days; if >3% of the school develops COVID-19 within 14 days and there’s evidence of transmission within the school; if 3+ staff within the same school developed COVID-19 within that 14-day period and there’s evidence of transmission among staff; and if 2+ students on the bus develop COVID-19 within 14 days.
Additional clarifying health and safety guidance was released today in a joint memo by DESE and DPH, which you can download here. You can download the full list of school district return to school models here, and you can find additional education-related COVID-19 updates at doe.mass.edu/covid19.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state saw 262 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 115,310 total cases and 12 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 264, and the average number of deaths is 14.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 1.3%.
- 379 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 14 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 8/20, 31% of the Commonwealth’s 12,300 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 30% of the region’s 2,000 beds are available for new patients.
- Long-term care: As of 8/20, there are 379 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 24,551 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 5,693 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 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
Statewide Information
Information on the state of emergency and related orders can be found here.
Reopening guidance can be found at mass.gov/reopening.
Information on COVID-19 testing can be found at mass.gov/gettested.
How You Can Help (updated)
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.
Southborough’s Community Fund has supported local COVID-19 response efforts and families impacted by the pandemic, as well as other charitable organizations in Town. 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
