COVID-19: September 4, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
September 4 Coronavirus Update
I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, sunny, and socially-distant Labor Day weekend. To all the students who began school this week or will begin next week, good luck with your fall studies! Please stay safe, learn a lot, and thank your teachers who, this year more than ever, go above and beyond to make our schools and our students the best in the country.
More good news from other states today as Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming now have the positive public health indicators necessary to be considered “lower risk” in compliance with the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Travel Order. As a reminder, Rhode Island remains on the “restricted” list of states, but special exemptions and travel guidance for those who regularly travel between RI and MA can be found here here.
Information on the COVID-19 travel order, its requirements, and responses to frequently-asked questions can be found on the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 travel page. If you wish to get tested following travel to a restricted state, you can find test guidance here or at mass.gov/stopthespread.
New Updates
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state saw 219 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 120,038 total cases and 22 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 307, and the average number of deaths is 14.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 0.9%.
- 333 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 21 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 9/4, 33% of the Commonwealth’s 12,300 permanent and temporary hospital beds are available for new patients if needed. In the MetroWest region, 35% of the region’s 2,000 beds are available for new patients.
- Long-term care: As of 9/4, there are 381 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 24,646 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 5,838 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 Updates
- 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 8/26):
- Holliston: 75 (+6) [The Holliston website reports 74 cases as of 9/3.]
- Hopkinton: 141 (+0)
- Southborough: 44 (+0)
- Westborough: 368 (+6)
- The weekly public health report also contains facility-specific information on COVID-19 case rates on nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, which can be found here starting on page 24.
- 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.
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
