August 12, 2020 – 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 here.
Town-specific case numbers are published by the state every Wednesday on the COVID-19 Weekly Public Health Report.
- 370 Needham cases to date (8/12/2020)
- 77 Coronavirus deaths in Needham to date (8/12/20). No new deaths.
New Gathering Restrictions in Place
Beginning yesterday, the state has capped the number of people who can gather together outdoors at 50. The limit had been 100 but was reduced given an uptick in cases the Governor attributed to these kinds of gatherings. There are exceptions for events like Town Meeting and other government business, religious gatherings and other types of events. Read the order: https://www.mass.gov/doc/revised-gatherings-order-august-7-2020/download
State Offers New Data on Cities and Town COVID-19 Caseloads
The State today began identifying communities at higher risk for COVID-19 based on daily case data. Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town has been designated as a higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk community. Going forward, this information will be updated and included in the Department of Public Health’s weekly public health dashboard, which is published each Wednesday. Needham is currently listed as a lower risk community. Click here to view a map with these designations by community.
Support Local Restaurants – Dine Around Needham Progressive Dinner
The Select Board today announced Dine Around Needham, a Progressive Dinner Party to support Needham’s restaurant community and give residents the chance to discover new dishes or indulge in some of their favorites from many local establishments. Dine Around Needham will be held Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 6-9 pm. Restaurant-goers are invited to choose appetizers, entrees and desserts or drinks from specially curated menus from participating restaurants. Diners are encouraged to dine al fresco at the restaurants themselves or at any of the picnic tables placed around Town. Find out what restaurants are participating and what’s on offer: http://needhamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21890/Dine-Around-Needham-Press-ReleaseFINAL?bidId=
Park and Recreation Extends Pool Season, Summer Recess Program
Park and Recreation announced that the pools at Rosemary will be open for an additional week. The pools will be open until August 30th. They had originally been slated to close August 23rd. The pools are open Tuesday – Sunday. Lap swim and pool walking is available from 7 am to 12:30 pm Tuesday through Friday. Family swim is open 1:30 pm to 7 pm Tuesday through Sunday. Members of the Pools at Rosemary Recreation Complex have first access to register for time slots and pay no additional fees to reserve a time slot. Non-Members have access to available spots after the initial ’Members only’ period. For lap swim, they must pay a fee of $5.00 per person entering the facility. The Family Swim non-member fee is $20. Residents may sign up for pool time by visiting https://needhampandr.activityreg.com/ClientPage_t2.wcs and following the Registration process.
Park and Recreation also announced today that it will extend for at least one more week its Summer Recess program. Please note, the program will be held outdoors at Cricket Field. It will no longer be held at Broadmeadow or Eliot. If there is severe weather on any given day, that day’s program will be cancelled, and parents will be notified. Credits will be processed at the end of the week. Park and Recreation will also offer one-hour tennis lessons at Newman Elementary. Please note, there will be no access to restrooms during that time. Registration for the programs will open Thursday, August 13th at noon: https://needhampandr.activityreg.com/ClientPage_t2.wc.