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 105,138 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 920,002 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.
- Today, the House of Representatives met in a remote formal session to vote on two bills.
- The House passed H.4841, An Act relative to accountability for vulnerable children and families. This legislation is a result of the Caring Collaboration for Vulnerable Children and Families which was led by Representative Garlick. The bill addresses the imminent needs of children and families amplified by the COVID-19 public health crisis and illuminated through the lens of racial equity. Click here for more information.
- The House passed H.4842, An Act to mitigate arbovirus in the Commonwealth, which will support the state in its efforts to address mosquito-borne illnesses like EEE and West Nile Virus.
- The Department of Public Health is monitoring the presence of mosquito-borne diseases in Massachusetts, including West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Currently, Massachusetts has found 2 positive samples of EEE in Mosquitos in Franklin County and 2 positive samples of WNV in Middlesex County. For more information, click here.
- On Wednesday, the Governor announced the launch of the “Stop the Spread” initiative, which will increase testing capacity in 8 towns and cities in Massachusetts that continue to see a high number of positive test results. For more information, click here.
Local Updates
- In Needham, Park and Recreation has announced its youth summer programs and the opening of the pools at the Rosemary Recreation Complex. They will be offering a new Summer Recess program for Needham residents and children, which will be held Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Rosemary Recreation Complex will be opening the Week of July 27 for Needham residents only. Additionally, residents will have to register for a timeslot in advance of going to the pool. For more information, click here.
- In Dover, the Dover Town Library is now accepting book returns. Please leave your items in the book drop and remember to wear a mask.
- In Medfield, the Board of Health will be meeting at 12:00 PM on Friday, July 10 via Zoom. The Board of Health will be providing an update regarding COVID-19. For more information, click here.
Reopening Updates – Phase 3: Vigilant
- On Monday, July 7, the state entered into the first step of Phase 3 in Massachusetts Reopening. This includes: casino gaming floors, horse racing tracks, indoor recreational and athletic fields, fitness centers and gyms, museums, indoor historic spaces, aquariums, outdoor theaters and performance venues, outdoor event space, indoor event space, indoor non-athletic instructional classes, indoor recreational businesses, movie and TV production, sightseeing and other organized tours, movie theaters, and post-secondary, higher ed, vocational tech and occupational schools regular operations. For the City of Boston, Phase 3 and the gatherings order will take effect on Monday, July 13.
- 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