HomeMy Public PortalAboutTown Managers Coronavirus COVID19 Update 9-18-2020Michael J. Driscoll
Town Manager
TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617-972-6465
www.watertown-ma.gov
townmgr@watertown-ma.gov
Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
September 18, 2020
Latest Data: COVID-19 Public Health Update
Testing Update: As of September 17th' over 27,000 new individuals tested by molecular (viral) tests were
reported in Massachusetts with 419 newly reported confirmed positive cases. The total molecular tests
administered to date is nearly 3.2 million.
Hospitalizations & Capacity Update: 377 people are hospitalized, with 64 reported to be in the Intensive
Care Unit (ICU). Key indicators from the latest Daily Dashboard are below.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard- Thursday, September 17, 2020
Dashboard of Public Health Indicators
Newly Reported
Confirmed Cases
Today
419
New Individuals
Tested by
Molecular Tests
27,644
Total Molecular
Tests
Administered
3,199.563
Total Confirmed
Cases
124139
Totat Individuals
Tested by
Molecular Tests
2,024.306
Legend
• Positive trend
In progress
• Negative .rend
Newly Reported
Deaths among
Confirmed Today
15
pet= is the current status
Measure
Total Deaths
among Confirmed
Cases
9,051
Status
COVID-19 positive test rate •
Number of individuals who died from COVID-19
Number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals •
Healthcare system readiness
Testing capacity •
Contact tracing capabilities •
Thal front page of I dashboard has horn refOnrritlrrl. Antibody Iris% (indr idu.I erxl Intel runibers] 43r, be fc r,d rm Fmse 18.
1
Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard -
Dashboard of Public Health Indicators
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Maleailar Test Rate`
3 Day Average of
Nurriber of CE DV1D-
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76
7.046
2s 06
71 74
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Percent or Count of Change Since
Lowest Observed Value ILOV)
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harpir.hl.ti Ant. Ypu hznint. _ w.r. aiiraJ1-.. 115.din9 ob,.w.r4n.rahr= p.h..e. .n rh}11 .rpa.Ik'7. Sa +h.. urdafr.. eer..p}{'144.4 ha.r a e:q n daily 4.pd. LOW = L}..1.1 phrn..7 raL�r- r. the la ..a h... pohPc 15. 157.
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For more state data, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
Watertown has a total of 502 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 461 community members have recovered
from the virus. Seven Town employees have had confirmed cases. Watertown has recorded twenty-four
COVID-19 fatalities. Our thoughts go out to the families as they mourn the loss of their loved one.
Watertown COVID-19 Case age Distribution)
19 and
70
and Unknown/no
Under 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 over age recorded Total
26
83
109
63
69
66
85
1
502
New Weekly Public Health Data Report Released
The Command Center released the comprehensive COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report, including
community -specific COVID-19 case and testing data. The report also includes risk categories for each city
and town based on the average daily incident rate over the past 14 days. Communities in the high -risk
category will receive additional support from the Commonwealth through a cross -agency COVID
Enforcement and Intervention Team.
DPH has also posted an archive of previously released city and town data dating back to April on the
COVID-19 reporting page. The Weekly Public Health Report includes also includes data on recoveries,
along with detailed case and death data related to long term care facilities. The report also includes
information on new nursing facility staff baseline testing, infection control audits, and more. You can also
1 There is a difference between the Commonwealth's reported numbers and what the Watertown Board of Health can confirm through
the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network (MAVEN).
2
find information related to contact tracing by local boards of health, and the Community Tracing Collabora
orts, and raw data files, are available by visiting the COVID-19 Response Reporting page.
Massachusetts Residents Urged to Get Flu Vaccination
Yesterday, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou
Sudders, joined by MinuteClinic Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Fairchild, visited a CVS Pharmacy in
Roslindale to receive flu shots and highlight the importance of getting vaccinated this year. CVS
also announced today it is expanding COVID-19 testing sites at several of its locations across Massachusetts
beginning today (9/18).
Last month, the Baker -Polito Administration announced a requirement that all students attending
kindergarten through college must have a flu immunization by December 31.. The requirement also applies
to children over six months of age attending child care. Exemptions may be made for medical or religious
reasons.
In addition, the state adopted a policy, based on the federal PREP Act, which enables qualified pharmacy
staff to administer a flu shot to children as young as three years old. The previous minimum age in
Massachusetts was nine.
For more information about influenza, visit www.mass.gov/flu, or call your health care provider, local board
of health, or DPH at (617) 983-6800.
Extension of Administrative Tax Relief for Local Businesses
On Tuesday, the Baker Administration announced an extension of administrative tax relief measures for
local businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant
and hospitality sectors.
This includes the extension of the deferral of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for
small businesses due from March 2020 through April 2021, so that they will instead be due in May 2021.
Businesses that collected less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the twelve month period
ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and businesses that collected
less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the twelve month period ending February 29, 2020 will be
eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes. For these small businesses, no penalties or interest
will accrue during this extension period.
For businesses with meals tax and room occupancy tax obligations that do not otherwise qualify for this
relief, late -file and late -pay penalties will be waived during this period.
The Department of Revenue will issue emergency regulations and a Technical Information Release to
implement these administrative relief measures.
Amendment to Emergency Order Mandating Face Coverings
On September 16th, the Watertown Board of Health amended its Emergency Order to align with the
one issued by the Governor. This Amendment is also consistent with guidance that is being put out by
State agencies on reopening.
#MaskUpMA Initiative Launched
On Friday, July 31, the Baker -Polito Administration launched #MaskUpMA, an effort to continue to remind
residents to wear masks and face -coverings in public to stop the spread of COVID-19. The effort
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underscores the importance of wearing masks across multiple channels including video testimonials on
social media, a new PSA, and a website, Mass.Gov/MaskUp
In May, Governor Baker issued an order requiring residents to wear face -coverings in public where social
distancing is not possible. This applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Exceptions include children under
the age of 2 and those unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition.
Watertown Public Schools (WPS)
Faculty and staff kicked off the 2020/2021 school year on September 1 with 13 full days of professional
learning, family meet and greets, technology distribution, and COVID training. WPS teachers are diligently
preparing their remote learning lessons, as we begin our year on the Bridge to Hybrid on September 22.
Several of our teachers and staff will begin the year working with our specialized populations in person
while the majority of our students will start the year remote as we continue to monitor the COVID 19 data.
The School Nutrition Department will continue to distribute breakfast and lunch out of the high school
parking lot on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00-1:00. All families are welcome to pick up meals during
these hours
The Watertown Farmers' Market is open weekly through October 14th!
Wednesdays, 2:30 — 6:30pm, Saltonstall Park, 149 Main Street, next to Town Hall
The market is open as an essential food access point offering a wide variety of farm fresh, locally grown and
produced foods. The market offers safe and efficient on -site shopping as well as pre -order options.
Volunteer Shoppers are available for those with medical, mobility, or transportation needs. Market flyer
with SNAP information (HERE).
Visit our website for more information: www.watertownmarket.com
Town Hall
Town Hall is open to the public by appointment only. Any member of the public must wear a face
covering while in the building. Additionally, the public is asked to maintain physical separation from
employees and other visitors of at least six feet.
Many departments offer residents and businesses the ability to conduct transactions by phone, online
or by mail. Individuals should check with their intended departments to see if there are options for
service.
Visit the Department directory for phone numbers.
This includes the following Town Offices:
- Town Manager, TownMgr@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6465
- Health Department, Health@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6446
- Senior Center, SeniorCenter@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6490
- Recreation Office, Recreation@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6494
- DPW Administrative, DPW 1 @watertown-ma.gov, (617) 617-972-6420
- Inspectional Services, buildinginspector@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6480
- Treasurer/Collector, Treas&Collectors@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6450
- Assessor, Assessor@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6410
- Town Clerk/Vital Records, TownClerks@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6486
- Veterans Services, PGeorge@watertown-ma.gov, (617) 972-6416
All Departments are open 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday — Friday. The Building Inspectors' Offices
are open at 7:30 AM.
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Recreation Department
Filippello (Grove) Field remains closed to the public and all users until the completion of the installation of
the new field lighting system for safety reasons. The lighting project is expected to be completed mid -
November. The Grove Street entryway, dog park, hard court surface, parking lot, playground, picnic tables,
spray park and the walkway remains open during the construction period.
Watertown's recreational facilities and activities' rules and regulations are guided by the Governor's
Phase III reopening plan, which was updated on August 13. Please refer to this link for detailed
instructions.
Health Department
The Health Department has created a portal for COVID-19 Information: COVID-19 Resource Center where
all COVID-19 related information will be posted: https://www.ci.watertown.ma.us/978/Coronavirus
Watertown Free Public Library
The Watertown Free Public Library is open for browsing. Hours open are Monday through Thursday from
loam -7pm with 9am -loam reserved for seniors and at risk patrons, and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Every
person entering the building must wear a face covering and staff will monitor capacity. In addition, every
patron will be asked to sign in with their contact information as required by the State of Massachusetts for
contact tracing purposes. That information will be kept confidential and only turned over upon request from
the state or local health department. The information will be destroyed after 14 days.
For more information on what to expect when returning to the library, please follow this link
https://www.watertownlib.org/514/COVID-19-Library-Updates
Curbside service continues and has been expanded. For more information visit
https://www.watertownlib.org/537/Curbside-Pickup
Museum passes are back! The Watertown Free Public Library Museum Pass Program has resumed with
passes available for the Discovery Museum, Institute of Contemporary Art, Isabella Steward Gardner
Museum, and MA Audubon. Due to each museum's COVID-19 precautions, the procedures for using
museum passes have changed. Patrons are advised to carefully review the instructions before visiting
museums. For more information and reserve passes visit www.watertownlib.org/museumpasses.
The Red Leaf Cafe is now open from 9am to 3pm for takeout only.
Hatch Makerspace is open by appointment only. For more information visit
https://www.watertownlib.org/576/Book-an-Appointment. Hatch will continue to offer curbside pickup for
3D prints and laser cut original work on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 am and 4 pm. Print and cut
jobs must meet certain eligibility requirements for this service. For more information, visit
watertownlib.org/hatchpickup.
Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry
The Watertown Senior Center and the Senior Shuttle Bus remain closed, but Senior Center staff are
available to connect you to their Zoom programs and to provide other assistance. Senior Parking
Permits can be renewed over the phone by calling the Senior Center and new permits can be purchased by
calling the Senior Center and making an appointment. The monthly Watertown Senior News can be found at
https://www.watertown-ma.gov/150/Activities-during-COVID-19.
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The Watertown Food Pantry continues to be open Tuesdays, 10 AM until 2 PM at 80 Mt. Auburn Street,
rear. When going to the Food Pantry, please wear a mask or other face covering to protect your own self and
those around you in the parking lot and at the Food Pantry. Food donations (canned goods, cold cereals,
peanut butter and other shelf -stable items) are accepted at the Food Pantry on Tuesdays starting at 9:00 AM
until 2 PM. For more information about the Food Pantry or any senior issues, call the Senior Center at (617)
972-6490 or send an e-mail to SeniorCenter@watertown-ma.gov.
Food Pantry Need
The Food Pantry is in need of healthy kid -sized snacks like granola or fruit bars, raisin boxes, fruit or
pudding cups, cookie and cracker mini packs, and drinks like juice boxes or pouches for our families. Our
goal is to send each family home with a week's worth of "School Snacks." Donations accepted at the Food
Pantry on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM — 1:30 PM at 80 Mount Auburn Street, Rear.
Watertown Veterans' Services
Watertown Veterans' Services is closed to the public but is still available to assist with administering and
applying for benefits. Families and Veterans may reach out to inquire about applying for benefits.
Watertown Veterans' Services, in partnership with the Greater Boston Veterans' Collaborative has a
detailed spreadsheet with benefits and services —including but not limited to: financial, mental health,
transportation, and food resources— available to Veterans and others during this pandemic. The list is
constantly being updated and interested Veterans and families should contact Patrick George, Veterans'
Services Officer (VSO) for the most up to date list. Please contact the VSO at: PGeorge@watertown-
ma.gov or (617) 972-6416 (Office) and (781) 645-9127 (Cell)
Emergency Management Team
The Town of Watertown Emergency Management Team is meeting to monitor the developments in the
outbreak of the coronavirus. We have used these meetings to keep an organized flow of information and
to develop strategies to best respond to the needs of our community. We will continue to update the
community through the Watertown Health Department's web page. https://www.watertown-
ma.gov/965/CORONAVIRUS.
How will you find out about local emergencies?
To get Emergency Alerts from the Town of Watertown text WATERTOWNMA to 888-777. Your cell
phone number will be in the system without having to establish an Everbridge account. You also have
the opportunity to add your email address into the system at this time. You would then receive all
emails and/or texts from the system. If you already have an Everbridge account, this is not necessary, as
you will continue to receive the notifications sent by the Town.
Watertown COVID-19 Informational Call Center and Email
For general COVID-19 questions not specific to the Town of Watertown, all Massachusetts residents
are encouraged to call the State's 2-1-1 Hotline that is staffed by operators 24/7 and with translators
available in multiple languages. Residents with questions can dial 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone
or use the live chat option on the Mass 2-1-1 website (mass211.or2).
The Town of Watertown has established a COVID-19 informational call center to allow residents and
business owners to ask non -medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Watertown. The call center
will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm and the number for the call center is # 617-
972-6565. Questions can also be emailed to COVID19(apolice.watertown-ma.gov.
Please call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
Calls should not be made to 9-1-1 for questions regarding COVID-19.
6
Please continue to take the following actions to limit the spread of COVID-19:
• Stay safe, stay home
• Practice social distancing — when in public spaces try to remain at least 6 -feet away from others.
• Stay home if you are sick — and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover your mouth — when you cough or sneeze use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Wash your hands — with soap and warm water or use an alcohol -based sanitizing gel.
Helpful Links:
• COVID-19 Travel Order
• Mass.gov/findfoodhelp
• Stop the Spread
• Reopening Massachusetts
• Mass.Gov/covidl9
• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
• Unemployment & COVID-19
• Dept. Of Transitional Assistance Online Portal
• Emergency Childcare Site
• COVID-19 Cost Eligibility and Tracking Guidance
• Watertown COVID-19 Resource Guide
Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) (25) Updates/Statements
We are in this together
We are living in an unprecedented time where our world, our nation and our community, is faced with
the threat of an international pandemic known as COVID-19.
All of our Town employees are incredibly committed to ensuring the Town can safely meet the needs
of our community while we are also protecting our employees' safety. All departments have
implemented vigorous social distancing and hygiene protocols. I am so grateful for all of our
employees' efforts under difficult circumstances.
The members of the Honorable Town Council continue to be available to help all residents and to
provide updates/information to protect the health and safety of all the residents of Watertown.
I want to thank all of the members of our community for your cooperation and efforts to date; and for
your continued actions to limit the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, please check on your
neighbors who may live alone. If you have any concerns, please email us at
COVID19@police.watertown-ma.gov or call the Police Department at (617) 972-6500; and we
will follow up.
Watertown is a resilient community and we are all in this together. We will continue to support each
other and stay strong, Watertown Strong!