COVID-19: November 25, 2020 from Representative Dykema
November 25th COVID-19 Update
I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, reflective, and happy Thanksgiving, no matter how you are celebrating. If this year has taught us anything, it’s that we cannot take any of life’s blessings for granted, no matter how small.
The COVID-19 Command Center has released tips and guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving this year, which you can find online at this page. Please continue to observe safe and healthy practices in compliance with all statewide guidance for gathering size, social distancing, and personal hygiene to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season.
There will be no COVID-19 newsletters on Thursday and Friday. Our next newsletter will be sent out on Monday, November 30th, and in the meantime, you can always review the statewide daily dashboards at mass.gov/covid19.
News Updates
Below is a summary of the most recent efforts to respond to the wide range of needs in our communities. For a summary of previously issued guidance and state restrictions related to the coronavirus epidemic, visit mass.gov/covid19. For previous updates visit carolyndykema.com/covid19.
Coronavirus Testing and Response
- Today, the state saw 3,224 new positive cases* of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 207,284 total cases and 54 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 2,538, and the average number of deaths is 28.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 3.0%.
- 129,833 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 (as of 11/25)
- Hospitalization: 942 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 8 from yesterday.
- Hospital Capacity: 31% of the Commonwealth’s 11,00 non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (47% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 32% of the region’s non-ICU 1,900 beds are available for new patients (50% of regional ICU beds are available).
- Long-term care: There are 400 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 27,053 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 6,727 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.
*Please Note: The COVID-19 Daily Dashboard was delayed today due to a technological issue that resulted in an interruption of the data download. As a result, today’s numbers reflect case counts from up to a 30-hour period, as opposed to the normal 24 hour summary.
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
Department of Transitional Assistance
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.
