As we continue to move through Massachusetts phased reopening, I wanted to share with you the new information from Needham, Dover, Medfield, and across the Commonwealth:
Statewide Updates
- In Massachusetts, there are a total of 108,740 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 1,133,674 individual tests (molecular testing) 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.
- The Department of Public Health is monitoring the presence of mosquito-borne diseases in Massachusetts, including West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Currently, Massachusetts has found 11 positive samples of EEE in Mosquitos in Franklin and Plymouth Counties and 13 positive samples of WNV in Mosquitoes in Suffolk, Middlesex and Norfolk Counties. For more information, click here.
- On August 1 Massachusetts will begin new travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19. All travelers arriving in Massachusetts from any place other than New York, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, or Hawaii must quarantine for 14 days or have a negative COVID test no more than 72 hours before arriving in MA or will be fined $500 for each day they do not comply. Travelers must fill out a Massachusetts Travel Form upon arrival to the State and those that do not complete the form will be fined $500. For more information, click here.
- Last week the House of Representatives debated and voted to pass An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth. This legislation builds on the priories set by the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and written testimony of over 500 stakeholders and members of the public. To learn more, click here.
- The Department of Unemployment Assistance has revised the fact-finding instruction to make the identity verification process easier for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. For the detailed instructions, click here.
- On Monday, the Governor announced an expansion of its “Stop the Spread” initiative, which provides free COVID-19 testing to targeted communities in the Commonwealth. Testing sites will now be available in Agawam, Brockton, Methuen, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, Taunton, and Worcester. Testing will be available through August 14.
Local Updates
- The Charles River Center 5K Run/1 Mile Walk will be taking place virtually this year. Individuals and teams can sign up and run or walk and submit their time during the week of Sunday, September 20 to Sunday, September 27. For more information and to register, click here.
- In Needham, Park and Recreation have opened the Rosemary Recreation Complex Pool for the summer. Time slots are open for registration three days at a time and each individual or family will only be able to register for one time slot during those three days. For more information, click here.
- In Dover, the Town of Dover has provided an update on COVID-19 in the Town as of Today, July 28. This update includes information regarding cases and the new state travel restriction. To read the update, click here.
- In Medfield, Kathy McDonald has been hired as the new director of Medfield Youth Outreach and Meri Haas as the Substance Use Prevention Coordinator for the Drug-Free Communities Program. Medfield Youth Outreach provides free and confidential individual and family counseling, assistance with access to financial assistance programs, information and referral, community programming, and crisis intervention to Medfield residents. For more information, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant
- If you have questions, input, or comments regarding the Reopening Massachusetts plan, you can submit comments online. These comments can be used by the Administration to support efforts to methodically reopen the economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for the form.
Resources
- 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.
- 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 8 AM-7 PM & Saturday from 10 AM-2 PM.)
- 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.
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: https://stories.opengov.com/needhamma/published/lP3WUJtv_
Medfield Updates: http://www.town.medfield.net/1860/Coronavirus-Info-COVID-19
Dover Updates: http://doverma.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Dover-COVID19-Updates-Information-3
Department of Public Health: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information, call 2-1-1, or text COVIDMA to 888-777.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
