Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Oct. 29.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Oct. 29 update
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
Hopkinton Town Hall reopened to the public as of Aug. 10. Appointments are required: click here for more information. All town departments are open for business. Many transactions can be completed online, and we are available via phone and email to assist during regular business hours. A full Town Directory can be found here. A box at the front door of Town Hall may be used to drop off correspondence, applications, etc., and they may also be mailed or emailed.
As of Oct. 28, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 172 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 13 of those cases are active, with 146 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report — NEW UPDATE
The weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report includes enhanced, more granular information to be updated on a weekly or biweekly basis, including town-by-town case and testing information, cases and deaths in long-term care facilities, updates on nursing facility audit results and more. As of today, this weekly report is released by the state on Thursdays. mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-october-29-2020/download
State Public Health Officials Offer Tips For a Safe and Healthy Halloween — NEW UPDATE
Be smart! Be safe! Follow the link below for information on how to have a safe and healthy Halloween. mass.gov/news/state-public-health-officials-offer-tips-for-a-safe-and-healthy-halloween
Hopkinton’s Health Department has put together four infographics to help:
1. Halloween in Hopkinton — general info
2. Halloween in Hopkinton — remember the four basics
3. Info for participating residents
4. Info for Trick-or-Treaters
Small Business Grants Now Open — NEW UPDATE
Massachusetts is offering $50.8 million in grants to small businesses experiencing income loss and hardship due to COVID-19. Applications are being accepted now through Nov. 12.
Election Stress — NEW UPDATE
Hopkinton Youth and Family Services recognizes that the election season can be a time of additional stress during an already stressful time. A resource list is available to support self-care. Election Mental Health Resources
Feeling like you want to check in about election stress or other resources? On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, you can zoom with HYFS staff to talk from 12-4 p.m. or on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. A waiting room will be utilized to allow one resident in at a time. Residents will be served in the order they join the drop in time.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Click here to register for Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Click here to register for Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Hopkinton Public Library Collecting Pandemic Experiences — NEW UPDATE
The library is seeking information and materials that can be included in our local history collection to preserve a record of Hopkinton’s experience with the pandemic. You can help in one of two ways: 1) Fill out this quick survey to tell us about your experiences, and/or 2) Contact Linda Connelly at lconnelly@hopkintonma.gov if you have other items (photos, documents, journal entries) that relate to the pandemic that you would like us to consider including in our collection.
CDC Updates “Close Contact” Guidance — NEW UPDATE
The Centers for Disease Control has updated the definition and guidance for coronavirus “close contacts.” Previously a “close contact” was defined as someone who spent at least 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet of a confirmed coronavirus case. Now the CDC defines a close contact as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected individual for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. A link to the updated guidance can be found here.
COVID-19 Community Impact Survey Deadline Extended — NEW UPDATE
The state has extended the deadline for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Community Impact Survey until Oct. 30. Officials hope to collect more responses from teens, people of color, young parents, English language learners, pregnant/postpartum women and others.
2021 Boston Marathon will not take place in April — NEW UPDATE
The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has announced that the 125th Boston Marathon, traditionally held on the third Monday in April — Patriots’ Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts — will be postponed until at least the fall of 2021. Click here for more info.
Town of Hopkinton COVID-19 Rent and Mortgage Relief Program
The Town of Hopkinton is announcing a program to provide partial, temporary support for certain housing costs for qualified residents who have experienced income loss due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Funding for the program comes from the town’s federal CARES Act emergency relief allocation. Click here for more information and the application form.
COVID-19 Housing Assistance
Hopkinton renters and homeowners facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities or other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses or both due to the COVID-19 pandemic may call the Massachusetts 2-1-1 information hotline for information on state housing assistance programs. Operators for 2-1-1 are trained to answer questions and connect residents to the state agencies that administer COVID-19 housing assistance programs. Information is also available on the state’s website: mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp.
There could be more to the story … You don’t have to be an expert to support a friend in a time of need. Knowing how to recognize signs that something is wrong and start a conversation can make a huge difference to our loved ones. We can all Ask, Listen, Encourage and Check in. Click here for more info. Sometimes it may seem like more immediate help is needed. If a situation is potentially life threatening, call 9-1-1. If a friend or family member is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, the Emergency Services Program is available to everyone 24/7. Call 877-382-1609.
Hopkinton also posts frequently on social media. Our Twitter is the best place to keep up with all happenings Hopkinton. You don’t need an account to see our twitter feed: https://twitter.com/HopkintonMA
Complete list of Emergency Orders and Guidance from Mass.gov
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency
0 Comments