Hopkinton COVID-19 update for Nov. 6: 16 active cases, vaccine info for children 5-11

by Hopkinton Independent | Nov 6, 2021 | News

Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Nov. 6.

COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Nov. 6 update

Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/

As of Nov. 5, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 1,324 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 16 of those cases are active, with 1,291 recoveries and 17 deaths. (These metrics are cumulative since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic).You can see historical tracking and updates on Hopkinton’s Community Impact Dashboard. The Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Interactive Dashboard is another valuable resource to review rates and trends:
mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-interactive-data-dashboard-

CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5-11 — NEW INFO
On Nov. 2, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible.

More information from the CDC here:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1102-PediatricCOVID-19Vaccine.html

More information from Mass.gov here:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccinations-for-children-ages-5-11

Hopkinton Public Schools — NEW INFO
The lifting of the DESE mask mandate for vaccinated students and staff at Hopkinton High School began on Monday, Nov. 1. The mask mandate will be lifted for a three-week trial period, ending on Friday, Nov. 19. To date, about 700 students have submitted the required documentation to take advantage of the opportunity not to wear a mask. Students will resume wearing masks on Monday, Nov. 22, prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Fall Back – REMINDER
Standard Time returns at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7; and so this is the season where we turn the clocks back. A reminder from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS): When you change your clocks on Sunday, be sure to check your alarms too! This weekend is a good time to replace alkaline batteries in smoke alarms and CO alarms AND to check the manufacturing dates. If they’re more than 10 years old, it’s time to replace them You can watch a video from DFS here: https://youtu.be/7D7qH1bfOL4

Booster Shot Info — REMINDER
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least six months ago:
● 65 years and older
● 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
● 18+ who work in high-risk settings
● 18+ who live in high-risk settings

More info on the COVID-19 vaccine booster shots from the CDC can be found here:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

COVID-19 vaccine booster shots FAQ’s from Mass.gov:
mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-booster-frequently-asked-questions

Delta variant info:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html — last updated Oct. 4

Vaccine Info — Where & How
mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
Find a location using vaxfinder.mass.gov/
**In-home vaccinations are available to anyone who cannot travel to a vaccination location. Call 833-983-0485 to schedule an appointment for yourself or your loved ones.

Testing — Where & How
mass.gov/covid-19-testing
mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

SMOC Fuel Assistance — NEW INFO
Applications are currently being accepted for the home heating fuel assistance program through SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council). The program runs from November to April and is available to all households in Hopkinton if the total household income falls within their guidelines. A household of one qualifies for assistance with an income up to $39,105; a household of two qualifies with an income up to $51,137; etc. Heating with natural gas, oil, propane, electricity, wood, coal or pellets, or individuals whose heat is included in their rent are all potentially eligible for assistance.

Application assistance is offered free of charge and the Senior Center is the only SMOC intake site for Hopkinton residents. The Outreach Department will assist any Hopkinton resident or household with their application; you don’t have to be a senior citizen.

If you have additional questions about fuel assistance, eligibility guidelines, or would like to apply for assistance, please don’t hesitate to call the Center at 508-497-9730 and ask for Kim or Julia. Due to health and safety concerns, we are unable to provide assistance to walk-ins; you must call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Hopkinton Youth and Family Services (HYFS)
The mission of Hopkinton Youth and Family Services is to provide access to comprehensive social services for youth and families & to enhance behavioral health for the entire Hopkinton community. HYFS has a number of resources available, and is here to assist residents in this uncertain time (and always!). Click here to learn more about their services: hopkintonma.gov/residents/youth_and_family_services.php

COVID Prevention & Treatment
Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:
● Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
● Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
● Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
● Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
● Utilize a face covering when warranted.
● Get vaccinated.
Even if you do not have symptoms, stay home as much as you can and practice social distancing if you must go out. That’s because you can be sick with COVID-19 and spread the illness to others as much as 48 hours before you have symptoms.

If you must travel, automobile travel is the safest alternative (single family in car). Utilize the other precautions listed above when in a high risk environment.

When enrolling your child in a program or sport, verify that the organization has developed and implemented COVID-19 protocols.

See more info from Mass.gov here: mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment

State of Emergency Lifted as of June 15, 2021
On May 28, Governor Baker announced the State of Emergency would be lifted as of June 15. More info here:
mass.gov/news/governor-baker-issues-order-rescinding-covid-19-restrictions-on-may-29-and-terminating-state-of-emergency-effective-june-15

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