November 19, 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.
Town-specific case numbers are published by the state every Thursday.
- 482 Needham cases to date (11/19/2020). Needham is in the Green category this week. Read the state’s Weekly Public Health Report here.
- 84 Coronavirus deaths in Needham to date (11/13/20).
CDC Updates Thanksgiving Guidance, Urges People to Stay Home
The CDC today issued updated guidance ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, urging people to delay or forgo travel this year in an effort to stop the escalating spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 is being spread in high numbers through small family gatherings and eating and drinking and gathering without masks indoors greatly heightens the risk of spread. Read more from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html
College Student Coming Home for Thanksgiving? What You Need to Know
As college students return home to Needham for the Thanksgiving holiday, there are a number of precautions families should take to keep their entire families safe.
- Get your student tested. While a negative test does not necessarily mean your child is free from the virus, it is one important step. The Massachusetts Travel Order requires everyone who will be returning home to Massachusetts from a higher risk state to get a COVID-19 test. Tests should use a molecular (PCR) SARS-CoV2 on a sample obtained within 72 hours of arrival. Information about where to obtain a test can be found at www.mass.gov/GetTested.
- Per the Massachusetts Travel Order, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the MA Department of Public Health. As of November 17, lower risk states include New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Hawaii.
- Quarantine for 14 days, or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
- If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
- While it is tempting to reconnect with friends while they are home, college students should not socialize with friends, especially indoors or in large groups. Many young people may have the virus but be asymptomatic, unwittingly spreading the virus to friends and loved ones.
- Consider wearing masks indoors at home. Mass protect both the wearer and those around him or her. When not eating, consider wearing masks inside when around students returning home.
Emergency Rental Assistance Available for Residents Who’ve Lost Income Due to COVID-19
The application for emergency rental assistance is now available for Needham residents who have lost income due to COVID-19 and may need assistance paying their rent. The application period remains open until December 4th. For more information, click here.