Hopkinton COVID-19 update for Nov. 30: Town has 34 active cases

by Hopkinton Independent | Nov 30, 2020 | News

Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Nov. 30.

COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Nov. 30 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 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.

As of Nov. 29, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 262 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 34 of those cases are active, with 215 recoveries and 13 deaths. You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard, which is updated frequently. Hopkinton has experienced an uptick in cases over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, this is a similar trend across Massachusetts, the Northeast, and in general across the United States. Please remember to practice social distancing, wear a face covering, wash your hands often, and be safe.

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. Last week’s update was released on Friday, Nov. 27, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-november-27-2020/download

Hopkinton Public Schools — REMINDER
The Hopkinton Public Schools, to ensure continuity of teaching and learning while faculty and families must quarantine due to Gov. Baker’s travel order, will be transitioning from hybrid to fully remote learning during the week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 4.

#GetBackMass campaign from Governor Baker
Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Get tested. Let’s get back to the things we love. More info here: mass.gov/getback

Massachusetts Announces Higher Education Holiday Travel Guidance
The Baker-Polito Administration released updated travel guidance to colleges and universities in advance of the holiday season. These updated guidelines are focused on a robust testing initiative to reduce the risk of college students bringing COVID-19 home to their families and communities before Thanksgiving. Students who leave campuses for the holidays should first receive a negative COVID-19 test administered by the college within 72 hours of their planned departure. Residential colleges also should offer COVID-19 tests to students living off campus who plan on returning home for the holidays. Prior to sending students home for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season, colleges and universities are urged to inform all students of the serious risks associated with going home before first receiving a negative COVID-19 test result. Residential colleges across the Northeast should provide testing for students before they leave for Thanksgiving break and ensure students are aware of quarantine rules. Click here for more information.

Any time you’re near people you don’t live with:

● Wear a mask when not eating or drinking.
● Wash your hands often with soap and water.
● Stay at least six feet apart from others.
● Consider if those around you may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions, and take extra precautions.
● If gathering indoors, improve ventilation by opening windows and doors.

Governor Baker Announces Targeted Measures To Curb Rising COVID-19 Cases
The Baker-Polito Administration announced a series of targeted measures to disrupt the increasing trend of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Governor Charlie Baker announced these changes at a time when public health data has indicated that cases are rising, with cases up by 278% and hospitalizations up by 145% since Labor Day. These measures are meant to disrupt rising trends now, so the commonwealth can keep the economy and schools open for residents and to prevent the need to roll back to Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the reopening plan. These New Orders & Advisories were issued Nov. 2 and went into effect Nov. 6.

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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