As the COVID-19 Response Command Center and other agencies and organizations provide updates on COVID-19, I wanted to share with you the new information being reported:
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there is a total of 8966 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 56608 tests have been performed.
- Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation establishing a moratorium on most residential and commercial evictions and residential foreclosures during the COVID-19 State of Emergency and for 30 days after it ends. This legislation now moves to the Senate.
- The COVID-19 Response Command Center has been working with its Advisory Board of medical experts and epidemiologists from Harvard University, the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and Northeastern to refine models related to the expected surge of COVID-19 cases. The model’s latest projections estimate that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 could range from 47,000 to 172,000 with the peak of hospitalizations between April 10-20, referred to as “the surge.”
- Massachusetts is working to find or build additional 750-1000 beds in field medical hospitals and other alternate care sites to reduce strain on hospitals. The first site is the DCU Center in Worcester. Other possible field medical stations include the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Joint Base Cape Cod, and Springfield Mass Mutual Building.
- The RMV has announced that all Driver Licenses, ID cards, and Learner’s Permits that have expired or are expiring between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2020, have a 60-day extension applied to the current expiration date and do not need to be renewed at this time.
- Today, Governor Baker issued an emergency order requiring all coastal beach reservation parking areas managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to close to reduce large concentrations of people at beaches during the COVID-19 outbreak. To find specific parking and traffic restrictions click here.
- If you or someone you know is at risk for sexual and domestic violence, service providers are still accessible. You can find local services by clicking here. You can also call SafeLink, the statewide domestic violence hotline, at 1-877-785-2020.
- To file an unemployment claim, visit here. If you have trouble filing a claim, please contact my office for assistance.
- Anyone feeling overwhelmed with sadness, anxiety or stress, or who wants to harm themselves or others, can access the mental health, emotional support, and suicide prevention program Call2Talk by dialing 2-1-1. Call2Talk is also available by calling 508-532-2255 or by texting C2T to 741741.
- Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive daily text updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Local Updates
- Small businesses and sole proprietors can begin applying for the Paycheck Protection Program starting Friday, April 3, and independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning on Friday, April 10. To learn more, click here.
- In Needham, the Select Board will be meeting virtually on Friday at 3:00 PM to receive COVID-19 updates. The Board will receive an update from Needham Public Health and the Town Manager related to COVID-19 efforts. This meeting will be held on Zoom and be carried by the Needham Channel. To join the meeting on Zoom click here.
- In Needham, the Recycling and Transfer Station is implementing a series of changes effective April 4. No more than 18 vehicles will be allowed in the trash/recycling area at once and no more than 6 vehicles will be allowed in the yard waste area at once. To learn more regarding these updates, click here.
- In Dover, the Dover Legion Post 209 has purchased essentials for those who are unable to go to the store and have them available for pick up or local delivery. If you or someone you know are in need, please contact the legion by email here or visit their website here.
- In Medfield, you can sign up for important alerts and other notifications here.
In addition to these updates, my office is still
accessible so please continue to reach out and we will get back to you.
Email: Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov
Phone: 617-722-2380
Our local boards of health, the Department of Public
Health, and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to maintain websites
with the most updated information regarding COVID-19 that you can access here:
Needham Health Department Updates: http://www.needhamma.gov/85/Public-Health
Medfield Updates: http://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19
Dover Updates: http://doverma.org/
Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19, call
2-1-1, or text COVIDMA to 888-777.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html