Editor’s note: This is the town of Hopkinton’s COVID-19 update for Sept. 27.
COVID-19 Updates and Precautions
Sept. 27 update
Previous updates and additional information and resources can be found here:
coronavirus-hopkintonma.hub.arcgis.com/
As of Sept. 23, Hopkinton’s Health Department is reporting 1,215 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 19 of those cases are active, with 1,179 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. Whereas from the middle of May 2021 through the end of July 2021 Hopkinton saw relatively low counts of new cases (18 new cases over 75 days), Hopkinton has seen an uptick in case counts since the beginning of August (70 new cases over 31 days). Since the beginning of September, Hopkinton has seen an average of 3 new cases per day.
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-
Hopkinton Public Schools — NEW UPDATE
We’ve had a great return to full-time, in-person learning.
In terms of COVID-19 cases, we have had two students test positive for COVID-19, both at Marathon School. To date, we have not had any transmission of the virus in school. Parents, guardians and caretakers, please remind your children that masks must be worn on the school buses. It is a federal mandate.
Booster Shot Info — NEW UPDATE
The FDA authorized the use of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine to be administered as boosters at least six months after completion of the primary Pfizer-BioNTech series in certain populations. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met on Thursday, Sept. 23, from noon to 3 p.m. ET to discuss a recommendation on booster shots. We are awaiting formal notification from the FDA and/or CDC on the outcome of that session.
More information here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Travel
Per CDC guidelines, delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s recommendations for people who are not fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine or a vaccine authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization can travel safely within the United States if following CDC guidelines. CDC will update these recommendations as more people are vaccinated, as rates of COVID-19 change, and as additional scientific evidence becomes available. This guidance applies to travel within the United States and U.S. territories. More information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
Vaccine info — Where and 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.
Boston Marathon
On Sept. 2, the Boston Athletic Association announced that entrants in the 125th Boston Marathon, scheduled for Monday, Oct. 11, will need to either provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate in the fall race. More info available here:
baa.org/baa-announces-participant-health-safety-policies-125th-boston-marathon
Testing — Where and How
mass.gov/covid-19-testing
mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test
Delta Variant Info
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/variant-info.html — updated Aug. 31
Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html
Hopkinton Youth & 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
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.
● 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.
In Hopkinton and during the month of August, Hopkinton residents contracted COVID-19 while traveling, attending large gatherings, interacting with others within hospital waiting rooms, work and hockey. At 19 households, traveling was the leading risk factor.
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
On May 28, Gov. 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
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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