***NOTE: This will be the final Covid-19 Weekly Update. The Town will continue to post updated case numbers on its Covid website weekly. Important updates will be posted to the website and will be sent to subscribers to the Covid-19 email and text message list.
May 27, 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.
- 1,755 Needham cases to date (5/27/2021). This is an increase of 3 cases since the 5/20/21 report.
- Total residents who have received at least one vaccine dose (as of 5/27/21): 22,589
- Fully vaccinated residents (as of 5/27/21): 18,688
- Needham is in the GREEN category this week. Read the state’s Weekly Public Health Report here.
- 125 Coronavirus deaths in Needham to date (5/20/21).
NEEDHAM VACCINE UPDATE
Doses Received to Date | Doses Administered to Date | Doses Scheduled for Distribution | Total Doses Administered or Scheduled |
6,716 | 6,934 | 0 | 6,934 |
Needham to Re-Open Town Buildings Without Appointments June 1st; Lift Face Cover Requirement for Vaccinated Individuals
The Town of Needham will re-open Town Buildings to the public June 1, 2021 without appointments and will follow the state’s guidelines in lifting Covid-19 restrictions, including face covering requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.
Town offices have been open to the public by appointment since June 1, 2020. All buildings, including the Needham Free Public Library, will be open to the public during regular business hours effective June 1, 2021. The Center at the Heights (CATH) has been utilized by the Needham Public Schools to provide additional spacing for administrative staff and will remain closed to the public for the time being. The CATH will re-open to the public July 1, 2021.
The Town will also lift its current face covering order for all fully vaccinated individuals. Those who have not been fully vaccinated are strongly encouraged to continue to wear face coverings. Regardless of vaccination status, members of the public will still be required to wear face covers in the following spaces:
· Public/private transportation systems (MBTA, Uber/Lyft, etc.)
· Healthcare facilities and providers, congregate care settings and health and rehabilitative day services.
· Indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers
Those who wish to continue wearing face coverings may do so, and businesses may individually choose to maintain Covid-19 precautions including the use of face coverings, social distancing, senior hours and more.
The Governor also indicated that he will lift the current state of emergency on June 15, 2021. The emergency order had allowed municipalities to conduct remote public meetings. Town leadership is exploring whether and how it can continue to offer some meetings virtually while still complying with the state’s Open Meeting Law. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.
The emergency order also allowed for outdoor dining and alcohol consumption. Town leaders are also working to find ways to continue to support local restaurants through these offerings once the order expires.
Needham High School Seniors Graduate June 6th, Car Parade to Celebrate June 5th
Needham High School Seniors will graduate Sunday, June 6th. On Saturday, June 5th beginning at 9 am, the Needham High School Class of 2021 will celebrate the end of a most unusual high school experience with a car parade. All Needham community members are encouraged to line the parade route to cheer on the newest Needham High graduates. Students will travel in decorated cars leaving from the old PTC building on Kendrick Street and will travel down Greendale Ave to Great Plain Ave into Needham Center. From there, the parade will travel up Highland Ave to West Street and down Webster St, concluding in front of Needham High School at around 10:30 am. Congratulations to these students and their families!
Online Bill Paying Reminder
During the pandemic, many residents chose to pay tax and other municipal bills online. Online bill pay will continue to be available to those who wish to use it. To pay a bill online, visit the Town’s online payment website.