City of Boston Update 5.11.20

Good Evening Everyone,

Please find the latest updates from The City of Boston regarding COVID-19.

COVID-19 CASES

CASE TRENDS IN BOSTON AND TESTING UPDATE

STATE OF MA UPDATE

FIRST ROUND OF UNIVERSAL HOMELESS TESTING COMPLETE

RECOVERY AND ADDICTION SERVICES

PUBLIC SPACE AND TRANSPORTATION

UPDATE ON NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

SPARK BOSTON WELLNESS WEDNESDAY EVENT

ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL VIRTUAL HEARINGS

CITY OF BOSTON COVID-19 OPERATIONS

GENERAL REMINDERS

STAY INFORMED

COVID-19 CASES

The City of Boston has 11,106 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) in Boston residents. So far, 3,327 of these 11,106 residents have fully recovered. There have been 533 COVID-19 related deaths in Boston residents. 

The City posts race and ethnicity data for deaths, as well as for confirmed cases here.

The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing the updated total of cases in Boston residents as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Information can be found at boston.gov/coronavirus or bphc.org.

Massachusetts has 78,462 positive cases of coronavirus (confirmed and presumptive) and 5,108 deaths reported at this time. Massachusetts has also tested 394,728 individuals to date. 

The City of Boston has two dashboards to provide statistics on COVID19 cases in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.  View them here.

The City of Boston has a free texting service to provide daily updates and information about the coronavirus. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to opt-in for English. Language and communications access remains a priority for Mayor Walsh, so this text service which was available in Spanish, Haitan Creole, French, Cabo Verdean Creole, and Portuguese, now includes Somali, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Russian.

  • Text BOSEspanol to 888-777 for Spanish
  • Text BOSKreyol to 888-777 for Haitian Kreyol
  • Text BOSFrancais to 888-777 for French
  • Text BOSKriolu to 888-777 for Cabo Verdean Creole
  • Text BOSPortugues to 888-777 for Portuguese
  • Text BOSSoomali to 888-777 for Somali
  • Text BOSChi to 888-777 for Simplified Chinese
  • Text BOSbilAraby to 888-777 for Arabic
  • Text BOSViet to 888-777 for Vietnamese
  • Text BOSRus to 888-777 for Russian

Updates in 10 total languages can additionally be accessed through boston.gov/coronavirus#multilingual-help. Each language has its own page and hosts multilingual print materials distributed citywide. 

CASE TRENDS IN BOSTON AND TESTING UPDATE

  • The City of Boston’s expanded medical capacity is allowing hospitals to maintain expanded ICU capacity. Currently hospitals are at 110% of normal ICU capacity. This is better than the last few weeks but we still need to continue practicing physical distancing and good hygiene.
  • As of Sunday night, there were 164 patients at Boston Hope, including 82 on the homeless respite side, and 82 on the hospital side. Altogether, over 650 patients have been treated at the facility. 
  • Every neighborhood saw its positive test rates go down this past week. Mayor Walsh acknowledged that is a testament to the physical distancing residents are doing, and the expanded testing access we have created citywide. 

  • The neighborhoods with the biggest reductions week-over-week were: East Boston, with a 19% drop in positive results and Mattapan, which had a 15% drop. The Mayor also noted that this drop is a testament to the work of the COVID-19 Healthcare Inequities Task Force and the ways the City is targeting outreach and testing in the most impacted communities.
  • Residents can find up-to-date information on the City’s map of testing sites at boston.gov/coronavirus.

STATE OF MA UPDATE

On May 11th, Governor Baker announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins. More information here.

  • The Reopening Advisory Board met with 44 stakeholders representing different industries and sectors, and received written comments from more than 2,200 employers and organizations. Additional information here.
  • The board’s full report will be released by May 18, which will include protocols and guidelines for how different industries should operate once they reopen.

FIRST ROUND OF UNIVERSAL HOMELESS TESTING COMPLETE

On May 11th, Mayor Walsh announced that the City of Boston’s first round of universal testing in the homeless population was completed at the end of last week.

  • In this first round, we tested over 2,200 individuals. 735 tested positive, for a 33% infection rate. Those individuals have been provided with quarantine space, support, and medical treatment when necessary. 

  • The result is that severe illness has been kept to a low level for a medically vulnerable population. The consensus of those who work with the homeless is that the impact could have been much worse. The Mayor thanked City staff and nonprofits like Healthcare for the Homeless and Pine Street Inn for their strong partnerships, as well as institutions that stepped up with space, like Suffolk University, Boston University, Northeastern University, and Emerson College. 

  • Mayor Walsh reiterated that homeless individuals and families remain a top priority in the City’s work to slow the spread of COVID-19. He noted that there is more work to be done, including more testing and longer-term shelter space. We’re also working on permanent housing solutions and helping 1,000 families of Boston Public Schools students secure affordable housing using BHA rental vouchers we dedicated for that purpose.

  • When construction re-starts, the City will make it a priority to create supportive housing for the homeless, continuing the progress Boston has made toward ending chronic homelessness.

RECOVERY AND ADDICTION SERVICES

Mayor Walsh shared that the City of Boston’s addiction and recovery services remain fully operational. The Mayor noted that finding beds for in-patient treatment after detox continues to be a big challenge, and that supporting those experiencing substance use disorder remains a top priority for Boston.

  • The staff at the Office of Recovery Services has worked hard to adapt their services to crisis conditions including the following changes:
    • Moving harm reduction services outdoors, to help active users stay safe.

    • Expanding outdoor space at the Engagement Center, to allow for physical distancing. 

    • Keeping the Street Outreach Team active. 

    • Creating comfort stations with bathrooms, hand washing, Narcan, and more. The City is actively looking at additional locations.
  • We’re working with faith communities in downtown to help them open up new daytime spaces 

  • We’ve moved outpatient treatment services to a telehealth model. 

  • We’re conducting universal testing at residential programs. 

  • We continue to help people get into detox and treatment.

PUBLIC SPACE AND TRANSPORTATION

On May 11th, Mayor Walsh announced that as the City of Boston looks to a phased reopening, we will prioritize creating additional public space for physical distancing, support our small businesses with curb space they may need and ensure that everyone has safe and healthy transportation options.

  • In addition to planned capital investment in safe and sustainable streets, the City is looking at ways to expand space for pedestrians, small business customers, cyclists, and bus commuters including:
    • Expanding sidewalks in business districts to help with physical distancing, especially where people wait in line for businesses that are following new capacity guidelines.

    • Opening up entire lanes for pedestrian and cyclist use, which could also calm traffic speeds. This needs to happen in a way that does not cut off emergency vehicles or delivery access for residents. 

    • Expanding bus stops and bus priority on roads. While subway ridership is down, essential workers continue to rely heavily on bus routes.

UPDATE ON NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

Mayor Walsh acknowledged the impact the virus has had on nursing homes, assisted living communities, and other residential facilities for elderly and medically vulnerable individuals. He noted that data from nursing homes and senior care facilities is devastating, and is consistent with the statewide and nationwide impact.

  • These facilities are licensed and regulated by the State, so the City’s work in this area is tied to the State’s efforts and done in collaboration with State officials.

  • Mayor Walsh assured residents, families, and staff that the City of Boston has been in contact with elder care facilities since the beginning of the crisis. The City communicates with administrators of these institutions every day, and is getting them the resources and support they need. 

  • The Disease Containment Strike Team was created to help facilities facing an outbreak. As of May 5th, the Team has provided over 414 staff shifts—including nurses, nursing assistants, and personal care attendants, as well as administrative support to those facilities. 

  • We’ve also provided 206,000 items of Personal Protective Equipment to these facilities—including 62,000 medical masks, 6,000 face shields, and over 14,000 gowns.

  • Boston will begin sharing the State’s data on Boston facilities on a weekly basis. As of May 9: across 39 facilities, 252 residents have passed away, or 48% of our Citywide total. 

  • Mayor Walsh pledged to continue the City’s support for nursing homes and their residents, including the families with loved ones in these facilities, and to share more information when it’s available. 


SPARK BOSTON WELLNESS WEDNESDAY EVENT

Hosted by SPARK Boston, the Mattapan and Hyde Park communities, May 13 is Wellness Wednesday! From 12-1 PM, join us as we talk about mental health, provide tips and develop new habits. Speakers on this call will include Anim Aweh LCSW,LICSW,CHE and Orville E Joseph. Please be prepared to join us in a safe space with weights for a light workout.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEAL VIRTUAL HEARINGS

The May 14th, 2020 hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeal Subcommittee and the May 19th, 2020 hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeal will be held virtually, via video teleconferencing and/or telephone. Interested persons can participate in the hearing REMOTELY by following a link to the virtual hearing, or by calling into the virtual hearing via telephone.

  • There are no Back Bay/Beacon Hill projects scheduled for May 14th.
  • Back Bay/Beacon Hill projects scheduled on May 19th: 28 Exeter Street
  • The hearing agendas including the hearing video and phone access information will be posted on the Public Notices page of Boston.gov 
  • Further instructions on how to offer comments during the virtual hearing will be provided prior to the hearing. Instructions for commenting will also be provided during the hearing.

CITY OF BOSTON COVID-19 OPERATIONS

All essential City of Boston services such as public safety, public health and maintenance operations including street cleaning, parks maintenance, trash and recycling pick up, etc will continue to be in operation.

  • City Hall is open to the public only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 am.to 5 pm
  • Public access to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue is limited to the Boston Public Health Commission on the 2nd Floor and residents must be accompanied when entering the building. 
  • Everyone entering City Hall, including employees and members of the public, will be required to complete a self-screening for COVID-19 symptoms, including elevated temperature.
  • Residents are required to make appointments if they need to visit any of the essential services offered out of City Hall, and can learn more about the status of city departments and hours of operation here. 

GENERAL REMINDERS

  • Stay home. If you must go outside, practice physical distancing from others (6 feet apart); avoid crowded places.
  • Wear a face covering if you absolutely must go outside. Face covers help reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they are asymptomatic. Visit CDC guidelines on face coverings for more information and guidance. 
  • Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. The City of Boston’s EMTs and hospitals have the capacity and ability to treat everyone.
  • Observe the recommended curfew for everyone in Boston except for essential workers to stay at home from 9 pm to 6 am daily 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol; avoid shaking hands
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you think you might be sick, please call your doctor or 311 to be connected to the Mayor’s Health Line 617-534-5050. Buoy Health has created a free online diagnostic tool which screens for COVID19 at buoy.com/mass.
  • Donate supplies to first responders here
  • Donate to the City of Boston Resiliency Fund here
  • Volunteer with the City of Boston here 
  • For Food access needs, visit our Food Resources Map or call 3-1-1
  • Fill out the 2020 Census. The Census informs how billions of dollars in federal funds will be allocated by state, local and federal lawmakers annually for the next 10 years. It’s more critical than ever to ensure that all Bostonians are counted. 

STAY INFORMED

Receive the latest COVID19 info from reliable sources. Visit: bphc.org/coronavirus; boston.gov/coronavirus; mass.gov/2019coronavirus. Call: 311 or 211

We will keep you informed as we receive updates. Stay healthy and stay safe.

Best,

Shanice–
Shanice Pimentel

Neighborhood/Constituency Liaison for

Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, Kenmore, and Mission Hill

Mayor Martin J. Walsh

Office of Neighborhood Services

617-635-2679

Sign up for neighborhood news here.