Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says administration is reviewing COVID-19 public gathering guidance after parties tied to infections
Massachusetts officials are reviewing the state’s guidance on public gathering sizes in light of recent parties and groups that are tied to clusters of COVID-19 infections in parts of the state, Gov. Charlie Baker said.
Baker, speaking from a news conference in Andover, said state officials are talking the limits on public gatherings. The governor’s executive order limits indoor gatherings to 25 people in an indoor space and 100 people in enclosed, outdoor areas. Read more about it here: https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/massachusetts-gov-charlie-baker-says-administration-is-reviewing-covid-19-public-gathering-guidance-after-parties-tied-to-infections.html
What are the chances someone at your gathering in Massachusetts will have coronavirus? County-by-county map offers estimates
As coronavirus cases are spiking across the United States, questions and debates are cropping up about how risky it is to go to barbecues, parties and more.
A tool created by the Georgia Institute of Technology may offer some insight. Using information from API’s COVID Tracking Project as well as population data from the 2019 U.S. census, the university’s online map projects the threat level of going to gatherings in all 50 states, breaking down the risks county by county. Try out the tool and read more about it here: https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/what-are-the-chances-someone-at-your-gathering-in-massachusetts-will-have-coronavirus-county-by-county-map-offers-estimates.html
Travel Order: Starting August 1, all visitors and Massachusetts residents returning home, including students returning to campuses for the fall semester, must fill out a “Massachusetts Travel Form” and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a COVID-19 lower risk state or they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts, or they are included in one of the other, limited exemptions. Individuals who get a test must remain in quarantine until they receive their negative test results. Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
Travelers are exempt from this requirement if they are coming from a state that has been designated by the Department of Public Health as a lower risk COVID-19 state or fall into another narrow exemption category. The travel order and other information is available at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order
Free COVID Testing Available in Springfield and Agawam Until August 14th
The Commonwealth is launching a strategic testing program in communities across Massachusetts that have continued to see a higher number of residents testing positive for COVID-19. Springfield and Agawam are two of those communities. Get the full information here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread
Fearing surge in COVID cases, Massachusetts Teachers Association pushes for remote learning in schools for 2020-2021 school year
As Massachusetts school districts continue to form reopening plans for the 2020-2021 school year, educators are pushing to return to the classroom remotely.
Massachusetts Teachers Association held a virtual meeting Wednesday night, during which union leaders and members spoke out against a return to in-person learning this September. Read the full story here: https://www.masslive.com/news/2020/07/fearing-surge-in-covid-cases-massachusetts-teachers-association-pushes-for-remote-learning-in-schools-for-2020-2021-school-year.html
Currently there are 988 positive COVID cases in Holyoke <1% decrease
7382 confirmed cases in Hampden County < 1% increase
1107 in Hampshire <1% increase
398 in Franklin < 1% increase
648 in Berkshire county –no change
Weekly Public Health Report (Updated Wednesday) Contains town-by-town numbers, long-term care facility information, and more: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-weekly-public-health-report-
Massachusetts comprehensive daily “dashboard” illustrating the spread of this virus across regions and demographics: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-daily-dashboard-
Testing has a turnaround time of 4-6 days and many cases are being clinically diagnosed (no testing or reporting involved). All are advised to behave as though they are carriers of Covid-19.
The curve we need to flatten: County numbers graphed over time can be found here: https://www.wmasscovid.com/
Massachusetts has now experienced a total of 8,375 deaths among the 109,400 confirmed Covid-19 cases. *Massachusetts is now reporting “probable” Coronavirus deaths in addition to confirmed cases.
Mass website featuring all Covid-19 testing sites: www.mass.gov/covid-testmap
Please be advised that you may be contacted by Public Health officials as part of the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Initiative sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who has tested positive, you may receive a call from your local Board of Health or from the MA Department of Public Health. The call will only take a few minutes and is a necessary step to limit the spread of the virus. Your information will not be shared with any other agencies and these officials will never ask for your social security number or health insurance information. If you have any questions about a call you received, contact us at coronaresponse@holyoke.org
Click here for Governor Baker’s Phase II Executive Order
Click here for Governor Baker’s Revised Gatherings Executive Order
Full list and safety protocols available at : www.mass.gov/reopening