November 10th COVID-19 Update

As the current trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic continues here in Massachusetts and across the nation, hospitalization numbers will likely continue to climb, and preparations are underway for a “second surge” within our health care system. Nationwide, we are unfortunately on track to hit our all-time high for hospitalized cases sometime this week, and our statewide hospitalization numbers have grown 91% in the last 30 days alone.

To ensure that we will have sufficient hospital capacity to meet increased demand, the Governor announced today that plans were underway to reopen field hospitals like those opened in Boston, Worcester, and Cape Cod this spring and that hospitals were already planning to convert up to 400 acute care beds into intensive care (ICU) beds if needed. Hospital capacity in Massachusetts is currently at 65% utilization (capacity is at 65% in the MetroWest-area hospitals as well), and ICU beds are currently only at 50% utilization for most areas of the state. These preparations will ensure that we will not be caught unaware if and when hospitalizations continue to climb, ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have access to the high-quality care they need when they need it.

News Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

• Today, the state saw 2,047 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 169,976 total cases and 21 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
• The average new cases over the last 7 days is 1,810, and the average number of deaths is 21.
• The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 2.6%.
• 58,341 new molecular tests for COVID-19 were reported in the Commonwealth today.
• 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

• Hospitalization: 618 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 30 from yesterday.
• Hospital Capacity: As of 11/10, 32% of the Commonwealth’s 10,900 non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (50% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 33% of the region’s non-ICU 1,800 beds are available for new patients (50% of regional ICU beds are available).
• Long-term care: As of 11/10, there are 393 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 26,039 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 6,501 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 State Resources

Town Resources

All of the towns in the 8th Middlesex District have centralized COVID-19 resource pages with resources, updates, and alerts regarding town services.

Holliston | Hopkinton | Southborough | Westborough

Job/Income Loss Resources

COVID-19 is also 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

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
• CARES Act Unemployment Changes
• Unemployment Town Halls

Department of Transitional Assistance

• Pandemic-EBT benefits for schoolchildren

Statewide Information

Information on the state of emergency and related orders can be found here.

• Face covering advisory
• Large gatherings/social distancing advisory

Reopening guidance can be found at mass.gov/reopening. 

• Sector-specific guidance
• Health care-specific guidance
• “When can my business reopen” chart

Information on COVID-19 testing can be found at mass.gov/gettested.