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 15,202 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 81,344 tests have been performed.
- Today, Massachusetts has announced an $800 million infusion to MassHealth for stabilization funding to support health care providers impacted by and responding to COVID-19. This funding will support hospitals, community health centers, nursing facilities, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, personal care attendants, and long-term services and supports providers.
- Today, the Nursing Home Mobile Testing Program launched, which allows safe, rapid on-site testing of residents of long-term care facilities like nursing homes and rest homes. This initiative is being completed as a partnership between the Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts National Guard and the tests are being conducted by the BROAD institute.
- The Nursing Home Resource Line launched today, which is a dedicated telephone line that will connect family members of nursing home and rest home residents with the information and resources they need. The line is staffed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, seven days a week. Families and community members can call the line at (617) 660-5399.
- CVS has launched a new rapid testing site in Lowell, which enables on-the-spot COVID-19 testing and results at no cost. This will allow for up to 1,000 patients to be tested per day and receive results on-site so they can properly seek treatment or quarantine as appropriate. Patients will need to pre-register in advance online at CVS.com in order to schedule a same-day time slot for testing.
- The RMV announced that they have canceled all Massachusetts classroom driver safety classes through May 4. This includes the 8-hour Driver Retraining Program, 4-hour Driver Attitudinal Retraining Program and the 4-hour State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) Program. The RMV has temporarily approved an alternative way to deliver the statutorily required content in the form of a 4-hour online class. You can learn more 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
- On Monday, April 13, Representative Garlick will be offering a pilot of virtual office hours. There will be 15-minute slots for constituents to sign up for and share their issues and concerns. Meetings can be conducted via Zoom or phone call. To sign up for a slot click here.
- In Needham, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick and Superintendent Dan Gutekanst filmed a video for the community discussing how the Town and Schools are managing during this COVID-19 pandemic. To watch it, click here.
- In Dover, the Dover Annual Town Meeting has been rescheduled to June 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM. To learn more, click here.
- In Medfield, the Town has announced that the Transfer Station will be closed on Sunday, April 12. The Transfer Station will be open on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00AM – 4:00PM.
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
