The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a second round of funding up to $130 million for nursing facilities to support COVID-19 response efforts over the next two months, as well as increased funding of $44 million for residential congregate care service providers. This funding will support staffing costs, infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE). In … Continued
Until the conclusion of this emergency, all consumers and employees must wear face coverings (mask, bandana, scarf) at all times when social distancing cannot be maintained, at any businesses providing essential services within the City of Holyoke. The following are exempted from this order: Children under 2 and any children who may compromise the integrity … Continued
The Holyoke Board of Health has issued orders, effective Sunday, April 26th, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., establishing that all consumers and employees must wear face coverings (mask, bandana, scarf) at all times when social distancing cannot be maintained, at any businesses providing essential services within the City of Holyoke. The following are exempted from this … Continued
Today Congress passed $500 billion in Coronavirus aid. The aid will replenish the small and medium business loan and payroll protection programs, provide support to hospitals and fund a nation-wide testing program, support lenders who work in urban and rural areas, among other uses. The Holyoke Board of Health has issued orders, effective Sunday, April … Continued
The Baker-Polito Administration announced expanded access to high-speed internet for unserved cities and towns throughout Massachusetts that do not yet have a completed last-mile broadband network. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) at MassTech, KCST and local internet service providers will offer communities new WiFi hotspots, building off the Commonwealth’s MassBroadband 123 fiber-optic network. The Massachusetts … Continued
Governor Baker issued an emergency order extending the closure of all public and private schools through the end of the school year, and the closure of all non-emergency child care programs until June 29, 2020 in an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. Yesterday, Governor Baker signed legislation into law … Continued
“Because the Commonwealth of Massachusetts remains in its emergency posture due to COVID-19 response, Military Honors during burial are un-available to those veterans who pass during this public health crisis. As such, Governor Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag at the Massachusetts Soldiers’ Home … Continued
It is believed that we are entering the “surge” in Massachusetts, which means that the number of new cases is increasing quickly. The danger of a surge greatly lies in the potential that the number of sick patients in need of critical care will surpass hospital capacity. This is why emergency field hospitals have been, … Continued
Today Governor Baker urged all residents to participate in the new contact tracing efforts. Contact tracing is the strategy of isolating anyone who has come in contact with a person who has tested positive. The steps of contact tracing involve self-isolating if you are aware of contact with someone who has received a positive test, … Continued
Massachusetts is now reporting data by City for those municipalities in which it will not violate HIPPA confidentiality. The Boston Globe has visual breakdowns of the data here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/10/nation/latest-coronavirus-numbers-massachusetts/ Mass reports by town and by hospital are attached. The Baker-Polito Administration today outlined ongoing steps to support long-term care facilities, including $130 million in new … Continued
