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 5752 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 47793 tests have been performed.
- The Commonwealth has launched an online portal to donate or sell Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and respirators. To learn more click here.
- The Department of Public Health has issued an order that will provide on-demand licensing and re-licensing for certain healthcare professionals. The order expedites licenses for professionals in good standing in other states and those that let their licenses expire within the past 10 years while in good standing. Click here to read the order.
- The Governor issued an order that permits public companies to hold annual or special shareholder meetings completely by means of remote communication. This adjusts the current law which requires an in-person meeting option for these meetings. To learn more about this, click here.
- If you are able to donate blood the American Red Cross of Massachusetts is accepting donations on an appointment basis. You can make an appointment through the Red Cross’s website here.
- As part of its efforts to expand existing health care capacity, the Administration is working with long-term care facilities to establish dedicated skilled nursing facilities to care for individuals infected with COVID-19. The initiative offers an alternative location where individuals who are stable but still need medical care can be transferred to recover, relieving pressure on hospitals and opening up hospital beds for the treatment of patients with the greatest medical need.
- 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
- In Needham, the Needham Community Council Food Pantry is continuing to distribute food to Needham residents with income challenges; income certification procedures are being waived until further notice. To register with the Food Pantry, residents should visit their website here or call 781-444-2415, M-F, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Council is not accepting any food donations until further notice; they are grateful for any financial support and will be purchasing food/grocery items in bulk.
- The Foundation for MetroWest is now accepting funding requests from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving our most vulnerable populations in MetroWest as part of its newly created MetroWest Emergency Relief Fund. Details to apply can be found here. Go here to make a donation.
- Needham Youth and Family Services has put together a list of resources for supporting your family during this COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more visit here.
- In Dover, the Dover-Sherborn Cable Television is looking for your pictures and videos with ideas on how to make the most of your time stuck at home! You can send these to info@dsctv.com.
- In Medfield, the Center at Medfield continues to receive donations of bagels from Blue Moon. You can pick up a pre-packed bag of bagels at the Medfield High School on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 noon-1:00 p.m. Enter through the front lobby door. Learn about more services provided by the Center here.
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
