COVID-19: December 17, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema
December 17th COVID-19 Update
Food insecurity continues to be a persistent challenge faced by many Massachusetts residents and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many families with children, remote learning can complicate access to food assistance normally provided through schools.
This week, Massachusetts became the first state to receive federal approval to continue issuing Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits for the rest of the year to help cover the costs of missed school meals for students learning from home. The P-EBT program provides eligible families with $117 a month per child learning fully remotely and $58 a month for children participating in hybrid learning. The approval means more than 500,000 students will resume receiving P-EBT benefits this month, to cover meals from October and November. Households will receive benefits monthly through the end of the school year, utilizing $40-$60 million per month in federal funding. Learn more here.
If you, your family, or anyone you know needs food assistance as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Transitional Resources provides this helpful fact sheet of all food resources available during the pandemic.
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 4,985 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 297,301 total cases and 44 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
- The average new cases over the last 7 days is 4,692, and the average number of deaths is 49.
- The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 6.0%.
- 92,617 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 12/17)
- Hospitalization: 1,871 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 20 from yesterday.
- Hospital Capacity: 15% of the Commonwealth’s 9,321 non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (28% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 13% of the region’s non-ICU 1,530 beds are available for new patients (26% of regional ICU beds are available).
- Long-term care: There are 408 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 29,264 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 7,084 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
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.
