November 9th COVID-19 Update

Last Friday, our statewide COVID-19 public health report contained a sobering reminder of the continued severity of the pandemic: our Commonwealth reported over 2,000 daily new cases for the first time since May 1st.

Since July, daily new cases have been climbing, but within the last several weeks, the rate at which cases have grown have significantly outpaced our growth in testing. Two other key indicators, our positive test rate and our total hospitalizations, are on the rise as well.

The chart to the right shows the 7-day averages for hospitalizations and daily new cases at the beginning of each full month since COVID-19 came to Massachusetts. Although our hospitalization numbers remain well below our April “surge,” it is clear that the virus continues to spread and that sustained vigilance is needed to address this serious threat. We have come a long way in learning about prevention, treatment, and data collection since May, but we still run the risk of a serious “second wave” if we do not continue to work hard to keep ourselves and our neighbors safe and healthy.

News Updates

Coronavirus Testing and Response

• Today, the state saw 1,184 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 167,929 total cases and 13 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
• The average new cases over the last 7 days is 1,649, and the average number of deaths is 20.
• The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 2.3%.
• 47,461 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: 588 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 20 from yesterday.
• Hospital Capacity: As of 11/9, 33% of the Commonwealth’s 11,000 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 11/9, there are 393 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 25,985 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 6,494 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 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.