COVID-19: December 14, 2020 Update from Representative Dykema

December 14th COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives and communities in many ways, and our transportation system is no exception. Not only has the pandemic had a significant impact on MBTA ridership and revenue, but the workforce that operates our transit system has been impacted as well.

Beginning today, December 14th, the Commuter Rail will be operating reduced service system-wide due to staff constraints related to COVID-19. Medical-related absences within the Commuter Rail workforce have necessitated a reduction in total weekday trains from 541 per day to 246 per day.

You can find the reduced service schedules for the coming weeks at mbta.com/CR. The reduction is temporary in nature but expected to last at least through December 27th. More information on these changes can be found here.

A full list of service-related changes to the MBTA and updates related to COVID-19 can be found at mbta.com/covid19. For information on the long-term service reductions being considered for 2021 and beyond, visit mbta.com/forgingahead.

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 3,572 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 283,146 total cases and 37 reported deaths as of today at 4pm.
The average new cases over the last 7 days is 4,732, and the average number of deaths is 49.
The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 5.7%.
56,122 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 12/14)

Hospitalization: 1,788 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, a decrease of 81 from yesterday.
Hospital Capacity: 18% of the Commonwealth’s 9,290 non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (30% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 17% of the region’s non-ICU 1,496 beds are available for new patients (29% of regional ICU beds are available).
Long-term care: There are 404 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 28,945 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 7,021 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.

Education

The weekly public health report now contains information on testing and positive cases in Massachusetts-based colleges and universities, which can be found here starting on page 36.
656 new COVID-19 cases associated with higher education testing were reported last week. 5,119 total cases have been reported associated with higher education testing.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education now reports student and staff positive cases reported by school districts within the last week. These reports count all positive cases among students participating in-person or hybrid learning models, and staff who have been in a school building within 7 days of a positive test. Last week’s report and reporting definitions can be found here.
Holliston: 1 student; 0 staff
Hopkinton: 0 students; 0 staff
Southborough: 1 student; 1 staff
Northboro-Southboro: 6 students; 0 staff
Westborough: 1 student; 0 staff

Travel

The state’s COVID-19 travel order, which requires testing or self-quarantine for all visitors and returning residents from all higher-risk U.S. states, is updated weekly based on new public health data from around the country. Information on the order can be found here and information on changes to the state risk designations can be found below.
Lower-risk states: Hawaii
Removed last week: Vermont
Added last week: None

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