As the COVID-19 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 are a total of 79,332 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 401,496 tests 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, Governor Baker provided an update regarding testing and hospitalizations. Yesterday, there were only a limited number of tests reported to the Department of Public Health, which resulted in a smaller increase in the total number of cases. Click here to watch his update.
- Today, a walk-in COVID-19 testing site opened in Dorchester Center at the Sportsmen’s Testing & Enrichment Center on Blue Hill Avenue. This testing site is operated by Bingham Health for people with symptoms of the virus and no appointment is needed.
Local Updates
- In Needham, Youth and Family Services is seeking feedback on resources and services that would be beneficial to members of the community. Youth and Family Services is working to meet the needs of the community during this public health crisis and your feedback supports the entire community. Click here for the survey.
- In Medfield, the Medfield Food Cupboard is hosting a May food drive. The Food Cupboard is seeking donations of coffee, boxes of oatmeal packets, canned diced tomatoes, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. Drops offs are being accepted at the Medfield Police and Fire Station through May 20.
- In Dover, the Dover Council on Aging is continuing to offer services to those in the community needing assistance. Volunteers are delivering weekly meals to seniors and sewing masks for the community. If you need assistance, call 508-315-5734 or submit a request online here.
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 8am-7pm & Saturday from 10am-2pm.)
- 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.
- Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive daily text updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
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: 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
