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 60,265 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 265,618 tests have been performed. You can access a summary of case details and lab testing and cases by hospital facility and additional COVID-19 response reporting on the dashboard here.
- Today, the Governor signed the SAPHE Act into law. This legislation, which Representative Denise Garlick and Representative Hannah Kane sponsored, supports collaboration between local boards of health and neighboring municipal public health departments to deliver high-quality and efficient public health services. Click here for more information.
- Today, Partners Healthcare announced that they will be running a COVID-19 diagnostic test on every admitted patient at its acute care hospitals. Partners will also be testing for emergency room admissions and patient transfers. Those that have been tested can expect results within one to three hours.
- Following the Legislature’s action to allow for the modification of high school graduation requirements, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted yesterday to temporarily modify the competency determination requirement for current high school seniors during the COVID-19 emergency. To learn more about these changes, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber will be offering a webinar on the Paycheck Protection Program on Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 PM. To learn more and register for the webinar, click here.
- In Dover, the Board of Selectmen will be meeting tomorrow, Thursday, April 30 at 6:30 PM. This meeting will include an update on COVID-19 and an update from the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator. To view the agenda and for information to watch, click here.
- In Medfield, the Cultural Alliance of Medfield will be holding a drive-by Porch Fest on Saturday, May 2 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM. This event will feature student and adult performers in Medfield to share their talents to community members from the safety of their vehicles. For more information, click here.
Resources
- 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. SafeLink can provide resources and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- To file an unemployment claim, visit here. If you have trouble filing a claim, please contact my office for assistance.
- If you do not qualify for traditional unemployment benefits but have lost your job due to COVID-19, you may qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance under the federal CARES Act. To learn more, click here.
- To apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)benefits call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (M-F from 8am-7pm & Saturday from 10am-2pm.)
- The WIC (Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition) program provides families with healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services for families. To check your eligibility and apply for WIC, click here.
- 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.
Please remember social distancing is the most effective tool to contain the spread of COVID-19.
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