9/3/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

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On September 3rd, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, COVID-19 Enforcement and Intervention Team, and an Update on School Reopening.

Here is the summary.

Testing

  • At this point, over 2.4 million tests have been administered by the Commonwealth. There have been 1.7 million individuals who have been tested.

  • Please continue to wear face coverings, practice good handwashing/hygiene, disinfect surfaces, social distance, and call your doctor if you do not feel well. Please do not share food, drinks, or utensils with anyone. 

  • Please find the interactive data map here to see how COVID-19 impacts each community in the Commonwealth. 

COVID-19 Enforcement and Intervention Team

  • This team was established to take on a more aggressive approach in dealing with the spread of COVID-19  in cities and towns where the rates are higher. 

  • The COVID-19 Enforcement and Intervention Team have been working closely with leaders in high-risk communities to help identify what is causing the high rates of COVID-19 and how the state and the town can work together.

  • Currently, public health data indicates that Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Westhampton, and Winthrop are high-risk communities. 

    • All residents in these communities should stay home if they feel sick and should get tested if they go out. No one in these communities can afford to gather in large groups. 

    • The Administration has started doing outreach in these communities, advertising on billboards, phone and text communications, and more. Please visit this site for more resources and information. The site has downloadable material for residents to display in their businesses, apartment complexes, restaurants, and more. 

Update on School Reopening

  • Over the past few months, the Administration has worked with their colleagues at The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and local governments to lay out detailed plans to help get kids back to school in almost every community in MA, where local COVID-19 transmission rates are well below-recommended levels.

  • The Administration has provided over $1 billion to local communities and schools to make the necessary adjustments they need to make.

  • DESE is launching a public service campaign to help remind parents, students, and teachers that we all have a responsibility to keep each other, and our communities, safe.

    • Please visit this site to find information about why doctors say most communities in MA are ready to return to school safely, what schools are doing to promote safety and mitigate risk, and how to stay connected on accurate information on reopening and COVID-19.