As the Department of Public Health and other agencies and organizations provide updates I wanted to share with you new information being reported:
- In Massachusetts, there is a total of 218 cases of COVID-19. 197 people have tested positive through the State Public Health Laboratory out of 1367 individuals that have been tested. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring
- On Monday, Governor Baker announced that gatherings must be limited of more than 25 people, and has ordered that all bars close and that restaurants only offer takeout and delivery. Additionally, all schools will shut down for three weeks beginning today (March 17).
- $5 million in emergency funding will be distributed to local boards of health across the Commonwealth. This funding is part of the $15 million supplemental budget that the House of Representatives and Senate approved last week in response to COVID-19.
- Starting today, the MBTA will begin running on a reduced schedule, which includes the Needham Commuter Rail Line and the 59 Bus. For the updated time table please visit the MBTA website: https://www.mbta.com/schedules/CR-Needham/timetable?date=2020-03-17
- Donate to support non-profits serving vulnerable individuals that have been stressed by the outbreak. Hosted by the Boston Foundation, The COVID-19 Response Fund will award one-time operating grants on a rolling basis to non-profits whose operations in support of elders and other vulnerable populations have been stressed by the outbreak: https://www.tbf.org/covid19fund. The Foundation for MetroWest is establishing the MetroWest Emergency Relief Fund. This Fund will award operating grants to non-profits addressing the most immediate needs or significant financial challenges due to closures during community emergencies. To contribute to the Fund please visit Foundation for MetroWest website here: https://foundationmw.org/give/emergency/
- In Needham, all public buildings will be closed to the public and playgrounds and fields will also closed. Starting today, all daycare facilities in Needham are closed. If you need assistance or services from the town you may call or email town departments.
- In Medfield, the Medfield Town House, the CENTER at Medfield, the Medfield Public Library, the Pfaff Center, and the Public Works Town Garage are all closed to the public. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the Board of Selectmen’s office by phone at 508- 906-3012 or by e-mail to Town Administrator Kristine Trierweiler at ktrierweiler@medfield.net.
- In Dover, all town buildings will be closed to the public until further notice. The Library has been closed and programing from the Council on Aging and Parks & Recreation are canceled until further notice.
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