COVID-19: August 24, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
August 24 Coronavirus Update
As we all know, our economy, especially wage-based workers, self-employed individuals, and small businesses, has been rocked by the pandemic. To help address these challenges, our state and federal governments have worked to develop new eligibility rules, extended benefit periods, and provide additional payments to those receiving unemployment assistance. While some of these benefits are expiring or have expired while we await further federal action, the Commonwealth has worked with our federal partners to secure a number of changes designed to provide continuity to those who are out of work or working reduced hours due to COVID-19.
Today, the Department of Unemployment Assistance announced that Massachusetts was approved for a federal Lost Wages Assistance Grant, which will retroactively provide $300 in weekly supplementary payments to qualified workers for the weeks of 8/1, 8/8, and 8/15 following the expiration of Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits, which provided an additional $600 weekly payment to claimants before August. More information on this change and details on distribution can be found here.
Earlier this month, the Commonwealth had also announced that our statewide unemployment rate had triggered a federal extension of unemployment benefits to qualified individuals. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants are automatically eligible for an additional 7 weeks of benefits, and qualified standard unemployment insurance (UI) claimants may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks. To learn more, you can read the announcement and FAQs here.
Ensuring that workers and families in need receive the necessary support to weather these challenging times is a critical part of our pandemic response. If you want to learn more about unemployment assistance options during the COVID-19 pandemic, click the icon to the right or visit this page.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state saw 571 new positive cases* of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 116,421 total cases and 27 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 259, and the average number of deaths is 15.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 1.1%.
- 308 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 7 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 8/24, 38% of the Commonwealth’s 12,500 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 40% of the region’s 2,000 beds are available for new patients.
- Long-term care: As of 8/24, there are 379 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 24,567 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 5,728 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.
*NOTE ON DATA: Due to the planned upgrade by DPH of its electronic laboratory reporting system yesterday, today’s data report includes information reported to DPH over the weekend and so numbers are higher than usual. Cases are retroactively assigned to dates in the daily dashboard and our graph portrays yesterday’s and today’s data as a two-day average to more accurately reflect over-time trends.
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
