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 82,182 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, the Governor announced an expanded COVID-19 testing capacity and strategy. This plan seeks to increase testing capacity to 45,000 daily tests by the end of July, and 75,000 daily tests by the end of December, with the goal of decreasing positivity rate to less than 5%. Click here to view the presentation.
- Today, CVS announced the expansion of self-swab and send testing sites at 10 CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in the Commonwealth. These sites will enable on-the-spot COVID-19 testing at no cost, with results available in 2-3 days. Individuals that meet the testing criteria may register in advance at CVS.com starting Friday, May 15. The closest site to our communities will be in Wellesley.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Recycling and Transfer Station will have adjusted hours for the summer starting May 22. On Fridays, the RTS will close at noon through September 11, 2020. Residents are encouraged to visit the RTS during weekday hours while still accommodating social distancing to keep themselves and workers safe.
- In Medfield, the Medfield Food Cupboard is offering support for residents in need of emergency food. If you need support, email the food cupboard or call them at 508-359-4958. Additionally, the food cupboard is holding a food drive and is seeking priority items of coffee, boxes of oatmeal packets, canned diced tomatoes, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. Items can be dropped off at the Medfield Police and Fire Station
- In Dover, the Dover Council on Aging is holding a virtual event on tips for boosting your immune system with Tricia Silverman, a registered dietitian. This webinar will be on Friday, May 15 at 11:00 AM and is open to all residents of Dover. To reserve a spot, email the director of the Council on Aging 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
