Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for April 14.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
April 14 update
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
As of April 12, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 947 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 41 of those cases are active, with 889 recoveries and 17 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard, which is updated frequently.
Regional Vaccine Clinic — NEW UPDATE
The Hopkinton Health Department is part of the Metrowest-Westborough regional collaborative and will be offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the DoubleTree located at 5400 Computer Drive in Westborough. The dates and times of the clinic will vary. You can check availability by monitoring this link. Appointments will be added on a rolling basis. You must be a Hopkinton resident and eligible to receive a vaccine in Massachusetts to book an appointment using this link.
This is the private link for Hopkinton:
home.color.com/vaccine/register/northborough?calendar=061d181b-7b58-417b-8874-c8fa990050ea
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine — NEW UPDATE
On Tuesday, April 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recommending a pause in its use out of an abundance of caution. The Department of Public Health is notifying all Massachusetts providers to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, effective immediately. More information here: fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/joint-cdc-and-fda-statement-johnson-johnson-covid-19-vaccine
Mass.gov Vaccine Helper Chat — NEW UPDATE
Mass.gov has introduced a Vaccine Chat, virtual assistant, to help answer vaccine questions. It can help you learn more about:
● Vaccine safety
● Vaccine eligibility
● Vaccination appointments
● And more!
Simply visit mass.gov/COVIDvaccine and you’ll see the chat window pop up in the lower right corner.
Transportation Grant Announcement — NEW UPDATE
The Hopkinton Senior Center has been awarded a generous grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council in partnership with MassDevelopment to provide much needed transportation assistance for medical appointments and essential shopping needs such as prescription pickups and grocery shopping utilizing taxi companies.
If you are a Hopkinton resident 60 years of age and older, a veteran or individual homebound due to a disability, please call the Outreach Department at the Hopkinton Senior Center at least three business days in advance of your appointment at 508-497-9730 ext. 1615 for assistance in scheduling a ride Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Strict safety guidelines are followed for sanitizing cabs, and mask wearing is required by both driver and passenger. This program will operate as funding permits. Rides are limited to twice a week.
**If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 per CDC guidelines, have tested positive for COVID-19 or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, we are unable to provide transportation through this program. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Senior Center.
Hopkinton Library Curbside Pickup Process Changing
In a few weeks, the library will be moving to a new way to book curbside pickups. The reservation system will be integrated into your online catalog account and will allow you to book an appointment directly from the “Manage Your Account” library card portal. You will need the account access information for the library card that the holds are placed on. Please contact the library before the end of April if you need your card number or PIN.
Hopkinton High School Traffic Patterns Changing
With students returning to full-time, in-person learning starting on Monday, April 5, Hopkinton High School parent drop-off will require that parents/guardians:
(1) enter the Loop Road for drop-off, but DO NOT enter the HHS campus at all;
(2) drop your child off at the parking lot entrance and keep going (there is no queuing permitted);
(3) do not make a three-point-turn on the Loop Road, but rather travel the entire Loop Road;
(4) exit the Loop Road back onto Hayden Rowe Street.
We know this means letting students out of vehicles prior to 7:15; however, parking (or queuing up) on Hayden Rowe Street is no longer permitted. Traffic must continue to flow on Hayden Rowe Street.
2021 Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election Dates
On March 23, the Select Board voted pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 39, Section 10, to delay the Annual Town Meeting, currently scheduled to commence on May 3 at 7 p.m., to commence instead on May 8 at 9 a.m. (5-0). After consultation with the town manager and town clerk, the Select Board voted pursuant to Chapter 45 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2021, to postpone the date of the Annual Town Election currently scheduled on May 17 and to reschedule that election to
May 22 (5-0).
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Hopkinton Town Hall reopened to the public as of Aug. 10. Appointments are required due to the state’s COVID-19 limits on building occupancy: Click here for more information. All town departments are open for business and many transactions can be completed online. 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.
Please remember to practice social distancing, wear a face covering, wash your hands often, and be safe.
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
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