During this time, local case numbers may not accurately reflect the infections in our community. There is no way to accurately determine the number of infected but asymptomatic individuals, i.e., you may be a “carrier” without knowing you are sick. This is a critical time to help stop the spread. Please stay home, and if you must go out, wear a mask, go out only for what you need and practice social distancing.

The Hopkinton Health Department has been working closely with the administration and ownership of Golden Pond. The first COVID-19 case at Golden Pond was confirmed on April 10. The National Guard was deployed to Golden Pond on April 11 and tested 10 other suspect cases, which resulted in two additional confirmed cases. Golden Pond had ordered test kits for the remaining residents and staff. The test kits arrived on April 14 and all resident testing was completed that same day. On April 16, approximately 100 staff members were tested. The results were delivered to Golden Pond on the afternoon of April 17. The positive results were forwarded to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and entered into the commonwealth’s reporting database over the weekend, accounting for many of the new cases reported in town on April 19. The majority of the cases were asymptomatic and most of the residents that have tested positive are otherwise healthy at this time.

The Health Department was sad to learn of the passing of a Hopkinton resident due to COVID-19 at the end of last week.

Please remember to follow all public health recommendations including washing hands, cleaning commonly used surfaces, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask in public. Many people can be asymptomatic carriers so it is important to understand that because an individual appears healthy does not mean they could not potentially be carrying COVID-19. Additionally, if you are an asymptomatic carrier, you may feel healthy but you may be able to pass COVID-19 without your knowledge.

Hopkinton Public Schools – NEW UPDATE
Governor Charlie Baker, in a press conference today, announced that public schools in Massachusetts would not be reopening for the 2019-20 school year. Therefore, the Hopkinton Public Schools will continue through June 17, with the remote teaching and learning we currently have in place.

Mr. Bishop, Hopkinton High School principal, is working with the Class of 2020 to determine plans for graduation.

Although it is more challenging in our remote learning environment, prioritizing the safety and health of all of our students remains foremost in our thinking. As such, when a student has not been in “virtual contact” with teachers, the Hopkinton Public Schools may request a wellness check to be conducted by one of our school resource officers.

As always, students and families with food needs should reach out to food services director Michelle Babin at mbabin@hopkinton.k12.ma.us.

Hopkinton Annual Town Election – NEW UPDATE
As many may have already heard, the Annual Town Election has been rescheduled by the Hopkinton Select Board to be held on June 29. The town clerk is encouraging EVERYONE to vote absentee or by mail. Absentee ballots may now also be requested by anyone who has a condition that puts them at higher risk of COVID-19.

Absentee or mail-in early voting ballots may be requested by printing out the absentee or mail-in early voting ballot application, completing it with a real signature, and sending it to the Town Clerk’s Office by using any of these options:

● Scanning and emailing to townclerk@hopkintonma.gov (smartphone scans are accepted)
● Dropping it off in the payment slot at the front entrance of Town Hall
● Mailing to Town of Hopkinton, Town Clerk, 18 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748

If you are not yet registered to vote in Hopkinton, you may register online. The last day to register to vote will be 10 days prior to the new election date.

Click here for Early Vote by Mail Application
Click here for Absentee Ballot Application
Click here to Register to Vote/Check Your Registration

Virtual Town Hall Office Hours – NEW UPDATE
Hopkinton continues to explore options for ways to best serve our residents during this unique time, and we are pleased to continue our pilot program that began today. As announced last week, the Office of the Hopkinton Town Clerk hosted virtual office hours today from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

The Town Manager’s Office will host virtual office hours on Thursday from 2-4 p.m. Click here for more information.

Construction Advisory – NEW UPDATE
Hopkinton Health Department has issued a new advisory. Click here for more info.

RMV Announces More Extensions – NEW UPDATE
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is extending deadlines for many services including license renewals, permits, vehicle registrations, inspection stickers and more. More info here.

Massachusetts COVID-19 Response Dashboard – NEW UPDATE
MEMA has developed and maintains a public-facing COVID-19 ArGIS online dashboard. This dashboard is continuously updated and captures information about current COVID 19 case counts, cases by age, cases by county, hospital status, hospital bed status, death tolls and deaths by age. Users should refresh the dashboard on a daily basis as enhancements are continuously being added.

Expanded reporting
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will release a breakdown of novel coronavirus cases by city and town, as the state takes additional steps to assess and report the burden of infection across the commonwealth. The town-level data, which will be updated each Wednesday, marks the latest in a series of new data reports and information that the Command Center and DPH have made publicly available.

● Daily dashboard data are published here
● Cases, city/town and hospital facility data are published here
● PPE distribution data are published here
● Hospital capacity published data are published here

**Hopkinton will continue to update our Community Impact Dashboard on a daily basis (Monday-Friday).