As the Department of Public Health 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 413 cases of COVID-19. The Massachusetts Public Health Laboratory has tested 2666 individuals https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring
- Today the Department of Public Health announced a man in his 80s in Suffolk County passed away from COVID-19 related illness. This man had been hospitalized and had pre-existing health conditions. To read the DPH press release please visit: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-public-health-department-reports-states-first-death-from-covid-19
- Today life sciences industry leaders launched the new Massachusetts Life Sciences Emergency Supply Hub to help coordinate efforts aimed at bringing additional supplies and resources (such as personal protective equipment) to the Commonwealth’s health care institutions as they test and treat patients with COVID-19. The initiative calls on life sciences and health care organizations in the state to donate supplies needed to combat COVID-19.
- Starting Yesterday, the Commonwealth’s first drive-thru COVID-19 testing side launched at CVS Shrewsbury as part of the nation-wide launch of 40 testing sites. The site is designated for emergency personnel and first responders, expanding testing access to front line workers.
- Massachusetts will be infusing $200M to MassHealth for critical, acute care, and safety-net health care providers, as well as for certain health care providers required to help ensure that MassHealth members receiving care in the community or nursing facilities do not need to go to the hospital.
- The Governor today issued an order making a change to the inspection statutes that require a smoke and carbon dioxide alarm inspection prior to a residential real estate transaction. The Order would permit the inspection to be deferred if the buyer contractually assumes responsibility for installing the detectors and the subsequent inspection happens within 90 days of the conclusion of the COVID-19 emergency. To read the order, visit: https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-20-2020-smoke-alarm-inspections-order/download.
- The Massachusetts RMV has announced that it is extending car inspection deadlines to the upcoming inspection deadlines for March and April. If your inspection sticker will expire on March 31, 2020, you have until May 31, 2020, to have your car inspected. If your inspection sticker will expire on April 30, 2020 you have until June 30, 2020.
- The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education today is issuing guidance recommending local school districts to continue to pay hourly employees and suggesting they engage in professional development at this time.
- 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.
- To file an unemployment claim, click here.
Local Updates
- This Afternoon, The Needham Select Board has declared a State of Emergency for the Town of Needham.
- In Needham, the Needham Housing Authority and Needham Community Council provided an overview of the steps they are taking to protect residents’ health and ensure all residents have access to food. To watch this on the Needham Channel please go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai2bRNciReQ
- In Needham, the Center at the Heights remains closed and the Council on Aging has suspended transportation services. The Center is seeking volunteers to help ensure older adults’ needs are met. You can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScngPnRrAyV3hK5aivMQCsJmYr1B9XFxAZMqRpaHFrHgMCfFw/viewform.
- In Dover, Dover Town Administrator Chris Dwelley has filmed this video to provide updates on the work they are doing to strengthen Dover during the COVID-19 outbreak. Stay tuned as the Town continues to post updates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c704Ko7dPnY&feature=youtu.be
- In Medfield, the Medfield Foundation has posted an extensive list of resources for Medfield it is available as a google doc: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fBINRiL2F763sohBI7hbg5yi_KHXobYni9q80jml0H4/edit?fbclid=IwAR3AeyjxB-IswKL91bEG5F1-vKzfRAdynbFXkpp2j8PWPdq5VXO6TOtGFrk#gid=0
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 Or call 2-1-1.
Centers for Disease Control: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
