COVID-19: October 2, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema

October 2nd Coronavirus Update

It seems like just yesterday that my office sent the first issue of this COVID-19 update. In fact, it’s been over 6 months since this daily update has been arriving in your inbox. During this time many of you have sent notes and suggestions for how we can improve content and delivery and your feedback has been great and appreciated.

David Melly

As you can imagine, it takes quite a bit of time each day to compile this information and ensure that your update is accurate and as comprehensive as possible. The lion’s share of this work is being done by my Chief of Staff David Melly, and he deserves recognition for his efforts and for making it look so easy.

David is a remarkable talent: smart, engaged, and caring. It’s an understatement to say that he’s a high achiever. In addition to his work in my office, David is a world-class runner and many of his vacation days are spent at competitive running events, including a recent trip to Japan. David has a unique connection to our district through his passion for running, as he was the first-place finisher in the Boston Marathon Scholastic Mile in 2011 during his senior year at Newton South High School. David went on to attend Cornell University where he majored in Government and joined my office in 2015 after interning with his own State Representative, Rep. Kay Khan. 

If you have interacted with David, you know how that he is a public servant through and through. He stands out in many ways, but especially in his efforts to doggedly pursue solutions for constituents who call the office in need of help. The district is so fortunate to benefit from David’s dedication, passion, and skills and I appreciate this chance to publicly recognize his great work. 

New Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

Source: Department of Public Health data
  • Today, the state saw 753 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 131,214 total cases and 10 reported deaths as of today at 4pm. 
  • The average new cases over the last 7 days is 557, and the average number of deaths is 16.
  • The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 1.1%.
  • 421 individuals are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 15 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 10/2, 28% of the Commonwealth’s 12,500 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 10/2, there are 385 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 24,936 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 6,092 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 and Regional 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 9/30):
    • Holliston: 100 (+7)
    • Hopkinton: 145 (+3)
    • Southborough: 53 (+9)
    • Westborough: 398 (+9)
  • 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 40.
  • 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.

Education

  • The weekly public health report now contains information on testing and positive cases in Massachusetts-based colleges and universities, which can be found here starting on page 37.
    • 218 new COVID-19 cases associated with higher education testing have been reported since last week. 847 total cases have been reported associated with higher education testing.
  • Beginning this week, the Department of Public Health has begun reporting student and staff positive cases reported by school districts. These reports count all positive cases among students participating in-person or hybrid learning models, and staff who have been in a school building within 7 days of a positive test. This week’s report and reporting definitions can be found here.
    • Holliston: 0 students; 0 staff
    • Hopkinton: 2 students; 0 staff
    • Southborough: 0 students; 0 staff
    • Westborough: 0 students; 0 staff

Travel Order Update

  • The state’s COVID-19 travel order, which requires testing or self-quarantine for all visitors and returning residents from all higher-risk U.S. states, is updated weekly based on new public health data from around the country. Information on the order can be found here and information on changes to the state risk designations can be found below.
  • Lower-risk states: Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Washington D.C.
  • Added to lower-risk states: Washington D.C.
  • Removed from lower-risk states: New Jersey, New Mexico, Colorado, Washington

Additional Updates

  • Next Wednesday, October 7, at 10 a.m., the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means will host a virtual Economic Roundtable to update members of the committee and the public on the economic outlook and forecasting being done for our state’s revenue and budget projections. You will be able to stream the roundtable live at malegislature.gov.
  • The Department of Public Health is recommending that all residents of Massachusetts receive flu immunizations as soon as possible this fall to prevent a possible increase in stressors on our health care system as the Commonwealth prepares to for the possibility of a fall/winter “surge” in COVID-19 cases. For more information, visit mass.gov/influenza.

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.

HollistonHopkintonSouthboroughWestborough

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 resourceshttps://carolyndykema.com/covid19-state-resources

Department of Unemployment Assistancehttps://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-unemployment-assistance

Department of Transitional Assistancehttps://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

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

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