February 25, 2021 – The Town of Needham and Needham Public Health today provided the following update regarding COVID-19.
State DPH COVID-19 Numbers
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports the number of positive cases and deaths daily on the state's COVID-19 dashboard.
Town-specific case numbers are published by the state every Thursday.
- 1419 Needham cases to date (2/25/2021). This is an increase of 55 cases since the 2/18/21 report.
- Needham is in the YELLOW category this week. Read the state’s Weekly Public Health Report here.
- 118 Coronavirus deaths in Needham to date (2/25/21).
NEEDHAM VACCINE UPDATE
Doses Received to Date | Doses Administered to Date | Doses Scheduled for Distribution | Total Doses Administered or Scheduled |
4,440 | 3,677 | 1,300 | 4,977 |
Needham Public Health Vaccine Update
The state has notified local Departments of Public Health, including Needham Public Health that they will no longer receive first doses of vaccines unless they are a part of an approved regional collaborative or otherwise specified. Due to that, Needham is not currently receiving any new shipments of first doses of the vaccine. If you have received your first dose at a Needham Public Health clinic, you will receive your second dose at a Needham Public Health Second Dose Clinic. You will have gotten a confirmed date for your second dose on the date you received your first. If you did not, please email needhamvaccine@needhamma.gov.
Select Board, Board of Health Ask Governor to Allow Needham to be Regional Vaccination Site
In order for Needham Public Health to be a state vaccination partner, the department agreed to vaccinate anyone from any community so long as they met the eligibility criteria. Needham Public Health has run effective open, regional clinics, and successfully provided vaccines to thousands of individuals from 206 municipalities across Massachusetts and one military base. Select Board and Board of Health have written a letter to Gov. Baker, urging him to allow Needham to serve as a regional vaccination partner. Read the letter here.
Governor Announces Next Phases of State Reopening Plan
The Governor announced today that Starting Monday, March 1st, the state will move back to Phase 3, Step 2. This move allows indoor performance venues and indoor recreation to reopen. It also allows businesses to operate at 50% of their maximum capacity, up from the current 40%.
The Governor also announced that beginning March 22nd, the state will move into Step 1, Phase 4 and increase the capacity limits on indoor and outdoor event venues.
Phase 4, Step 1 measures include:
- Indoor performance venues can open to 50% capacity, capped at 500 guests
- Musical performances, with proper distancing, will be allowed in restaurants
- Capacities will be limited to 100 guests for indoors, 150 guests for outdoors
- Dancing will be allowed for weddings and events only
- Stadiums, arenas, exhibition halls, and large venues (greater than 5,000 people) will be allowed to open to 12% capacity.
At-home gathering limits (25 outside, 10 inside) will remain.
