As of today, March 22nd, there are 17 cases of COVID-19 in Cambridge. You can learn more here: https://bit.ly/2J2BnQj There are 646 COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, including 199 in Middlesex County. 3403 patients have been tested by the MA State Public Health Laboratory. Five Massachusetts patients have now passed away from COVID-19. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/2WxWkL1
Cambridge Updates:
The City of Cambridge and Food for Free have set up the Cambridge Community Food Line, a food item delivery service for residents at high risk of food insecurity. Call this number to reach them: 617-349-9155.
If you have not already looked to the City of Cambridge's website for COVID-19 resources, I recommend you do so. The city has published a number of useful guides for residents, including:
- A guide for seniors: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Seniors
- A guide with housing resources, tips, and FAQs: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Housing
- A guide for businesses: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/Business
State Updates:
Today Governor Baker announced that testing has increased by 50% over each of the last two days.
Every county in Massachusetts now has at least one COVID-19 case.
Public Health Updates:
The Department of Public Health and Bureau of Substance Abuse Services have issued guidance to expand access to care for those with opioid use disorder in line with federal guidance. Dosages for those who are on treatment for opioid use disorder have increased and access to opioid treatment will increase through the expansion of telehealth services and through curbside and doorstep delivery of medication.
As a reminder, you should go to your Primary Care Provider with any health-related COVID-19 questions you have.
Unemployment Insurance Updates:
The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance held its first Virtual Town Hall today with important information on how to successfully file an unemployment insurance claim. You can view a step-by-step presentation on how to file a new unemployment insurance claim here: https://bit.ly/2J9Teot
There will be a number of other town halls this week as well. A Spanish language town hall will be held at 9AM on Tuesday, and English language town halls will be held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9AM. You can sign up here: https://bit.ly/397zLPT
If you filed an Unemployment Insurance claim and reached a busy signal when calling to certify your claim, you can certify it online, or call back within the next week to certify it.
You can find previous COVID-19 newsletters here: https://www.decker4rep.com/news/ And as always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie