January 28th COVID-19 Update

Over the last few days, I have received many calls and emails from constituents about the rollout of “Phase 2” of the COVID-19 vaccine, specifically as it pertains to residents over 75 and seniors with additional risk factors.

As of this week, online signup is available to eligible individuals in Phase 1 and those over 75 who will become eligible February 1, but demand is far higher than supply at the moment. For reference, there are over 400,000 residents in Massachusetts over the age of 75, but as of last Friday, the total supply received from the federal government but not yet administered is only about 200,000 and many Phase 1 individuals have still not received the vaccine.

A few key concerns I’ve heard from constituents are difficulties navigating the booking website, the need for a helpline for those who do not use the Internet or run into difficulties, and lack of nearby vaccination sites in the MetroWest/Central MA regions. In addition, there is a clear need for an option for couples who may be mobility-impaired or have other health needs to sign up for appointments together to minimize trips to providers. My colleagues and I continue to work with the COVID-19 Command Center as well as regional health care providers to express these concerns and identify possible solutions. I’m optimistic that in coming weeks we will see an increase in appointment availability, vaccination sites, and additional booking options, but I share your frustration with the pace and information flow of the Phase 2 rollout so far.

If you are over 75 and have particularly challenging health concerns, you may want to contact your primary care provider for guidance. The UMass Memorial system is working to provide proactive outreach to high-risk members of their patient base and I expect many other systems will follow their lead in ensuring that older patients have the information they need from their own health care providers. New vaccination appointments are being uploaded regularly, particularly at mass vaccination sites, so I would also encourage individuals to continue checking nearby sites at mass.gov/covidvaccinemap on a regular basis.

Thank you to those of you who have reached out for your patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times together; your feedback has been immensely helpful. As new information becomes available, I will be sure to share it through this newsletter.

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 4,222 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 488,861 total cases and 43 reported deaths.
• The average new cases over the last 7 days is 3,707, and the average number of deaths is 62.
• The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 4.4%.
• 116,693 new molecular tests for COVID-19 were reported in the Commonwealth 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 (as of 1/28)

• Hospitalization: 1,878 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 52 from yesterday. The 7-day average of hospitalizations is 1,973.
• Hospital Capacity: 12% of the Commonwealth’s non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (19% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 10% of the region’s non-ICU beds are available for new patients (16% of regional ICU beds are available).
• Long-term care: There are 421 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 33,733 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 7,993 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.