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COVID-19 Updates & Precautions March 31, 2020 AM update

By contributor,
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Previous updates and additional resources can be found here: www.hopkintonma.gov/covid-19

All town buildings are closed to the public; although we are “open” for business. Parks, Playgrounds and Playing Fields are closed.

Hopkinton has created a new Covid-19 Community Impact Dashboard to illustrate closings and general tracking numbers which include the ability to see trendlines over time. Link to dashboard: https://arcg.is/PyP0S

Following Governor Baker’s previous emergency order from March 23, ONLY designated businesses and organizations providing “COVID-19 Essential Services,” such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants offering take-out or pick up only remain open. All non-essential businesses, retailers, and organizations are closed to workers, customers and the public until Noon on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. See the COVID-19 Essential Business FAQs from the State - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services-faqs.

Non-essential businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely. To that end, essential services provided by the Hopkinton Department of Public Works, Facilities, Health Services, Youth and Family Services, Hopkinton Police Department and Hopkinton Fire Department will continue. The rest of the Town Departments will continue to provide services as in prior weeks, albeit employees will be working remotely.

Community spread is now occurring throughout Hopkinton, and we will likely see more reported cases in the coming days. PLEASE! Remain home; adhere to the community restrictions in place, especially when outside – do not gather in parks, playground areas, and playing fields as these are CLOSED; and take appropriate social distancing measures when visiting grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses.

As of 11:00 a.m. on 3/30/20, Hopkinton’s Health Department has 9 total confirmed COVID-19 cases; 5 of those cases are active, with 4 recoveries and zero deaths. Our most recent cases fall within the 20-29 age range. However, as testing increases, more cases may be identified in our Town.

Annual Town Meeting and Election Postponed - NEW UPDATE https://www.hopkintonma.gov/Press%20Release%20ATM%20Town%20Election%20Po...

Donate or Sell Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - NEW UPDATE Governor Baker’s administration announced an online portal where individuals and companies can easily donate or sell personal protective equipment and volunteer to support the COVID-19 outbreak here in the Commonwealth. https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-launches-online-po... ective-equipment

Health Care workforce expansion - NEW UPDATE https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-new-acti... th-care-workforce-other

Travel guidance - NEW UPDATE Beginning March 27, all travelers arriving to Massachusetts are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days. More info here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/travel-information-related-to-covid-19

Unemployment information - NEW UPDATE https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-unemployment-and-coronaviru...

Blood Drive - NEW UPDATE Governor Baker and First Lady Lauren Baker visited the American Red Cross of Massachusetts headquarters in Dedham to urge residents to donate blood. The Red Cross is facing a critical shortage of blood products due to cancellations of blood drives across the Commonwealth because of implementation of necessary prevention and mitigation actions during COVID-19 outbreak. The Governor has deemed “Blood and plasma donors and the employees of the organizations that operate and manage related activities” as an essential service. There are upcoming blood drives in Milford and Framingham. More info here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=01748

Hopkinton Public Schools - NEW UPDATE School Administration has been in direct contact with families with children enrolled in Hopkinton Public Schools. We share that letter with you here.

Treasurer/Collector’s and Assessors Offices - NEW UPDATE The Treasurer/Collector’s Office and Assessors Department are open for remote service and are available to assist residents from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Tuesdays, and from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM Fridays. While not physically in the office, staff is available to field any questions and to process all required work via email or voicemail:

Treasurer/Collector: treasurer@hopkintonma.gov or voicemail (508) 497-9715 Assessor: assessors@hopkintonma.gov or voicemail (508) 497-9720
Your voicemail will be returned promptly. Payments can still be made online at www.hopkintonma.gov through the “Pay My Bill” option. Payments can also be mailed as usual or dropped off at Town Hall at one of three drop boxes located at each Town Hall entrance; front, side, and a handicap accessible location at the rear of the building.

Library: We continue to check phone messages (508-497-9777) and e-mail (hopkintonlibrary@hopkintonma.gov). Please note that it may take slightly longer than usual for us to respond.

Extended School and childcare closings: Governor Baker has announced that all schools and non-emergency childcare centers will remain closed until Monday, May 4. This expands on previous orders that suspended operations until April 6. You can read the full announcement here.
Construction Services: Construction is considered essential work and will continue, but to do so with allowance for social distancing protocols consistent with guidance provided by the Department of Public Health. Read the full guidance document here

Hopkinton Senior Center/Senior Services: The Senior Center staff continues to be available if you have questions, concerns, need assistance obtaining food or have any other need while we are closed. Please contact us at 508-497-9730. If you know of a senior in need please reach out to us and we will follow up with them.

We are working hard to bring programs and services online. If you are interested in attending one of our virtual classes and programs, please check out our website (https://www.hopkintonma.gov/departments/senior_center.php) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Hopkinton-Senior-Center-533752023452626). We are adding more each day!.

Youth and Family Services Please call us if we can be of assistance at 508-497-9781 or email at dalcott@hopkintonma.gov and csouza@hopkintonma.gov
Our facebook page is routinely updated with behavioral health and hopeful resources for coping with the crisis. Check us out at https://www.facebook.com/hopkintonyouthandfamilyservices/

Resource Page for COVID 19 to access immediate emotional support or resources and link to sign up to help: Y&FS Basic Needs Resource Sheet for COVID19: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PRLc_KS6S8Cktl3gGaDv9Xi7APoTpT-gEPdD...

Stay Informed & where to go for help: Get information from trusted sources. Visit https://www.mass.gov/covid19 and www.hopkintonma.gov/covid-19 for the latest news, case counts, and lab testing results. Call 2-1-1 with questions. Text the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777 to receive notifications to your phone. Take care of your emotional health and help others do the same. If you need emotional support during these stressful times:

● To check your symptoms and find the right care, use the Commonwealth’s Buoy Health https://www.buoyhealth.com/ .

● Call 2-1-1 and choose the “CALL2TALK” option.

● Samaritans is continuing operations 24/7, as always. During this unprecedented time, it can feel overwhelming to receive constant messages about COVID-19. Call or text their 24/7 helpline any time at 877-870-4673.

● The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, including disease outbreaks like COVID-19. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories.