HomeMy Public PortalAboutTown Managers Coronavirus COVID19 Update 4-9-2021Michael 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
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Town Manager's Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
April 9, 2021
Watertown has a total of 2,305 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 2,169 community
members have recovered from the virus. Thirty-five Town employees have had confirmed cases.
Watertown has recorded thirty-five COVID-19 fatalities. Our thoughts go out to the families as they
mourn the loss of their loved one.
Watertown COVID-19 Case a ' e Distribution'
19 and
Under 20-29 30-39
40-49 50-59 60-69
70
and
over
Unknown/no
a ' e recorded
Total
292
430
448
309 291
252
282
1
2,305
Watertown COVID-19 Positivity Rates Stabilize
Continued vigilance urged as we work toward herd immunity.
According to the Mass Department of Public Health (DPH) Dashboard, Watertown's 14 -day COVID-19
positivity rate is 1.72%. View the DPH dashboard.
MEMA COVID-19 Command Center Situation Report
Yesterday, 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.
April 19th — Vaccine Eligibility Extends to Everyone 16 And Up
Beginning April 19th, all adults over the age of 16 will be eligible in Massachusetts to receive a Covid-19
vaccine. Currently anyone age 55+ and those with one or more specific medical conditions are eligible.
To prepare for your appointment, you should take the following steps:
• Preregister at VaccineSignUp.mass.gov to be notified when it's your turn to schedule an appointment
at one of 7 mass vaccination locations: Hynes Convention Center, Gillette Stadium, Reggie Lewis
Center, DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers, Eastfield Mall in Springfield, Natick Mall and former Circuit
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).
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City in Dartmouth. Once you sign up for preregistration, you'll receive weekly status updates. You
can opt out at any time if you find an appointment elsewhere. Once an appointment is available,
you'll be contacted with the opportunity to book the appointment and have 24 hours to accept it.
• Use VaxFinder.mass.gov to search for appointments at pharmacies, health care providers, and other
community locations.
Veterans COVID Vaccine Information
Bedford VA Health Care System
Bedford VA Health Care system is accepting Veterans regardless of enrollment, as well as spouses and
caregivers. Veterans should call the Bedford Campus: (781) 687-2275 to apply for VA Health Care if
they're not already enrolled. Eligible recipients can call 781-687-4000 to schedule their vaccination
appointment.
Boston VA Health Care System
Boston VA Health Care system is accepting Veterans regardless of enrollment, as well as spouses and
caregivers. Eligible recipients can call 857-203-3919 to schedule an appointment for the COVID-19
vaccine at VA Boston's Brockton, Jamaica Plain or Brockton campuses. Veterans should contact their local
VA eligibility office to apply for VA benefits if they are not already enrolled in the health care system.
Here are the phone numbers for all local VA hospital eligibility offices: Brockton Campus: (774) 826-2515
or (774) 826-2513 Jamaica Plain Campus: (857) 364-5269 West Roxbury Campus: (857) 203-5463 or
(857) 203-3167.
Free COVID-19 Testing for Watertown Residents — Additional Slots
The Town of Watertown is offering, by appointment only, one - free COVID-19 Test for
Watertown residents. Testing is free, does not require a medical referral and you do not need to have
COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Pre -registration is required to receive a test (pre -registration details
below) and we ask that you only sign up for one test to allow other residents access to testing.
Testing will be held inside the Commander's Mansion 440 Talcott Avenue on the following dates and
times:
Tuesday, April 13 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wednesday, April 14 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
In order to obtain an appointment a Watertown resident must pre -register by clicking on the following link:
https://proemscovidtesting. as.me/watertown
This is not a drive -up test. Watertown residents who have an appointment will enter into the Commander's
Mansion and with the assistance of Pro Ambulance employees will conduct a self-administering nasal swab
(PCR test).
Test results: As a reminder, a negative test does not mean you cannot spread COVID-19, or get infected
with COVID-19, at a later date. Residents should continue to practice physical distancing and hygiene,
regardless of a negative test result.
The above dates and times are the only dates and times available for Watertown residents through
this program.
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Watertown Public School (WPS)
Elementary students returned to full in -person learning five days a week on April 5th. Middle school
students will return on April 12th, with high school students returning on April 26th. Our faculty and staff
are hard at work preparing our buildings for the increased number of students who will be back in our
buildings- WPS will be ready.
At this time, well over 78% of staff have received at least one dose of vaccine, or have appointments
scheduled. We are confident that all staff who elect to be vaccinated will have at least their first dose
before returning to full in -person schools. With a recommendation from the superintendent, the School
Committee approved making student COVID-19 testing mandatory for students at its meeting on March
22nd, unless there are extenuating circumstances that would prevent a student from being tested.
Our school nutrition department offers seven days of free breakfast and lunch for any students in
Watertown. Distribution occurs in the schools for students in person and at the high school parking lot for
anyone who is remote on Mondays from 12:00 PM -1:30 PM and 4:30 PM -6:00 PM.
Town Hall is open to the public by appointment and drop-off transactions only.
All payments may be placed in the silver box next to the Library book drop-off labeled "Payments Drop-
off' located on Thaxter Street. You may also drop-off transactions in person in the Philip Pane Hearing
Room, Saltonstall Park side of Town Hall 9:00 AM — 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Members of the
public must wear a face covering while in the building and 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, DPW1@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.
Watertown Free Public Library
The Watertown Free Public Library is open for browsing. The library is open Monday through Thursday
from 10 AM to 7 PM, Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 12 PM (9 AM to 5 PM
beginning March 20). Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 10 AM is reserved for patrons 65+ and with
high -risk health conditions. 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
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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
Beginning Saturday, March 20, the library will be open 9-5 on Saturdays, reinstating pre-Covid hours.
Beginning Monday, March 22, the library offers in -library computer use and fax/scan by reservation only.
Check the library website (www.watertownlib.org) or call the reference desk 617-972-6436 for more
information.
The Watertown Free Public Library, Wayside Multiservice Center, and Watertown Police Department have
launched a mental health discussion series to help people cope with the emotional stressors of living
through a pandemic. The series, led by mental health professionals, begins on February 25 at 6:30 pm with
a discussion of sadness, isolation, and anxiety that will highlight strategies for coping and locally available
mental health resources. To register for this zoom event, visit the library website or call 617-972-6431.
Participants can remain anonymous. Series continues through the spring.
Watertown Council on Aging/Senior Center/Food Pantry
The Watertown Senior Center remains 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. The Senior Shuttle Bus is running again on a limited, by -
appointment basis to the Stop and Shop on Watertown Street, Market Basket, Marshalls and Target. Call
the Senior Center on Fridays to reserve your ride for the following week.
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 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 8:30 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.
Watertown Veterans' Services
Watertown Veterans' Services is closed to the public but is still available to assist with administering
and applying for benefits. Veterans who receive less than $2,000 monthly and have less than $5,000 in
assets ($9,800 if married) should consult Veterans' Services about Chapter 115 benefits. This is a
financial lifeline for eligible Veterans and families, please inquire at the contact info below. Water
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. Please
contact the VSO at: PGeorge@watertown-ma.gov or (617) 972-6416 (Office) and (781) 645-9127
(Cell).
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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 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 a COVID-19 email to allow residents and business owners to ask non-
medical questions specific to COVID-19 in Watertown. Questions can also be emailed to
COVID 19(a,police.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.
Please continue to take the following actions to limit the spread of COVID-19:
• Wear a mask
• 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) (53) 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
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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!
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