COVID-19: March 33, 2021 Update from Representative Dykema

Holliston Reporter

March 22nd COVID-19 Update

Our efforts to provide equitable, efficient, and effective vaccine distribution to all Massachusetts residents continue to grow. As of last week, MA ranks 8th out of all U.S. states in doses administered per capita, and over 20% of residents in every county have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Over 3 million doses of the vaccine have been shipped to MA, and we are currently administering around 350,000 doses per week.

As of today, all individuals over the age of 60 and workers in certain essential fields have become eligible to book appointments for a vaccine. All residents, regardless of current or future eligibility, can pre-register for an appointment at vaccinesignup.mass.gov, where you will receive a text or email with an appointment slot when you are eligible and an appointment becomes available at one of Massachusetts’s 7 mass vaccination sites. Those who are currently eligible may also look for appointments at any vaccination distribution point using vaxfinder.mass.gov. More information on eligibility, including a full eligibility timeline for all residents, can be found at mass.gov/covidvaccine.

Also, effective today, Massachusetts moves into Step 1 of Phase IV of the statewide reopening plan. Most notably, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people. Large capacity sports and entertainment venues will be allowed to reopen at 12% capacity with DPH approval. The statewide travel order has been replaced with a travel advisory, that urges visitors to quarantine for 10 days upon entering the state unless they receive a negative test or have been fully vaccinated over 14 days earlier. More information can be found here.

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 1,103 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, with 580,683 total cases and 27 reported deaths as of today at 5pm.
  • The average new cases over the last 7 days is 1,580, and the average number of deaths is 31.
  • The 7-day weighted average positive test rate in Massachusetts is 2.0%.
  • 36,869 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 3/22)

  • Hospitalization: 603 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, an increase of 23 from yesterday. The 7-day average of hospitalizations is 598.
  • Hospital Capacity: 18% of the Commonwealth’s non-ICU hospital beds are available for new patients if needed (31% of statewide ICU beds are available). In the MetroWest region, 17% of the region’s non-ICU beds are available for new patients (33% of regional ICU beds are available).
  • Long-term care: There are 424 long-term care facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 and 34,847 staff and residents in facilities who have tested positive for COVID-19. 8,856 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.

Vaccine Distribution

  • Last week, 349,877 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were administered. To date, 2,671,928 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in MA.
  • Last week, 414,870 doses of COVID-19 vaccine were shipped to Massachusetts. To date, 3,095,810 doses have been shipped to MA.
  • For more information, you can review the weekly COVID-19 vaccine report on this page.

Local Update

  • This week’s public health report contains town-by-town numbers on positive cases in each community, as well as a color-coded risk assessment for each city or town. This week’s numbers for the towns of the 8th Middlesex District can be found below, and the full weekly public health report can be found here.
  • Holliston: 691 (+21 from last week); moderate risk
  • Hopkinton: 716 (+24); moderate risk
  • Southborough: 425 (+13); moderate risk
  • Westborough: 1,359 (+28); moderate risk

Education

  • The interactive data dashboard now contains weekly information on testing and positive cases in Massachusetts-based colleges and universities, which can be found here.
  • 542 new COVID-19 cases associated with higher education testing were reported last week. 13,817 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: 2 students, 0 staff
  • Hopkinton: 0 students, 0 staff
  • Southborough: 2 students, 0 staff
  • Nboro-Sboro: 4 students, 0 staff
  • Westborough: 4 students, 0 staff

Travel

  • The state’s travel order has been replaced with a statewide travel advisory. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, can be found at mass.gov/covidtravel.
  • Visitors to Massachusetts are still urged to quarantine or receive a negative test result within 72 hours of arrival unless they have been fully vaccinated over 14 days before arrival; however, reporting requirements and noncompliance penalties are no longer in effect.

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.