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 83,421 cases of COVID-19 and a total of 435,679 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 extended the Stay-At-Home order by 24 hours from Sunday, May 17 at 11:59 PM to Monday, May 18 at 11:59 PM. The Stay-At-Home order will be lifted effective Tuesday, May 19th at 12:00 PM (midnight) – impacting the Tuesday business. The Reopening Advisory Board will be issuing its initial reopening plan on Monday.
- Today, the state announced distribution totals of federal CARES Act funds to cities and towns. Needham will receive $2,755,065, Medfield will receive $1,137,716, and Dover will receive $537,911.
- Yesterday’s update noted there would be a CVS COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in Wellesley. While that was included in the initial official announcement, that location will not be offering testing.
Local Updates
- In Needham, the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber is offering webinars next week for members and nonmembers regarding COVID-19. On Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 PM they are holding ‘What’s Next for My Company? – Revisiting Strategy during Uncertain Times”. On Thursday, May 21 at 11:00 AM they are holding “Together: The Shift to Separately — The New Guidelines for Office Space”. For more information, click here.
- In Medfield, Medfield TV will be creating a video highlighting the MCSP initiative called #MedfieldShowsTheirHearts. As members of the community begin to see green hearts around town you can take a picture or create your own and upload them for Medfield TV. Click here to submit a picture.
- In Dover, the observation of Memorial Day, which is traditionally held on May 30 at the Town House, will not be occurring this year. At noon on Saturday, May 30, the churches will ring their bells. The town encourages everyone to remember and give thanks to all our veterans and those who have put themselves in harm’s way for our country.
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
