COVID-19 update

• Current cases. As of yesterday, there are 6 confirmed cases and 102 presumptive positive cases for a total  of 108 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts. The breakdown of these cases is in the chart below:

• Medical equipment. The state has received a delivery of protective medical equipment, including respirator face masks, surgical masks, gloves, eye protectors, air purifying respirators, and surgical gowns to help protect Massachusetts hospital staff. The equipment comes from the U.S. government’s Strategic National Stockpile.

• State Funding. Yesterday, the Legislature appropriated an additional $15M to cover costs associated with the state’s COVID-19 response, including "monitoring, treatment, containment, public awareness and prevention efforts ... by the department of public health, regional and local boards of health and other public instrumentalities." The legislature and the governor had previously appropriated $95K to cover overtime costs at the state lab to speed up testing.

• Franklin information portal. Franklin is closing its schools and municipal buildings (with some exceptions) for two weeks effective today. You can read the TA and Superintendent's letter by clicking here. You can view other information on Franklin's portal by clicking here.

• Medway information pages. The Medway Public Schools will be closed, beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20. You can view the Medway School Department's update page by clicking here. The town's health page can be accessed by clicking here.

• DPH testing. On March 13, DPH issued a guidance letter for testing of persons with suspect COVID-19 through the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory. This new system will enable Massachusetts to more quickly and effectively test and report out test results. This in turn will automatically make test results available to state epidemiologists, clinicians who have ordered the tests, and to local boards of health.
• Personal hygiene is important. Common sense steps to take include washing your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and clean things that are frequently touched. More prevention tips here.
• Guidance and recommendations. Health-related guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for various audiences can be accessed by clicking here.