"Evolutionary Origins of SARS-CoV-2" video

An excellent explanation video of the lineage of viruses - and the fact that SARS-CoV-2 has a common ancestor that's over 40 years old.

 

COVID-19 Response Reporting for Franklin. | Mass.gov

The link should bring you to the data released on Thursday August 5, 2021.

Franklin doubled it's case count since last week's report. Jumping from 16 to 32

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting#covid-19-interactive-data-dashboard-

07/30/21: Let's keep it going Franklin

The case count was 10 last week, 16 this week.

"The Department of Public Health released new town-by-town data for coronavirus cases on Thursday, the latest set of such data showing how the virus has impacted individual communities throughout Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

The MA DPH reporting can be found online  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

MA DPH reporting can be found online  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting

Let's keep it going Franklin

"The Department of Public Health released new town-by-town data for coronavirus cases on Thursday, the latest set of such data showing how the virus has impacted individual communities throughout Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/15/nation/massachusetts-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-by-city/

 

only 10 positive cases in this report

Mass.gov: In-home vaccinations are available

Mass.gov (@MassGov) tweeted on Sat, Jul 17, 2021:

"In-home vaccinations are available for anyone who is unable to travel to a vaccination location.

Learn how you can have a medical professional come to your preferred location and administer a vaccine here: https://t.co/JcPkpdvEJV #COVID19MA"

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGov/status/1416491655738314756

Mass.gov: In-home vaccinations are available

MA News: (1) Prepare for mosquito and ticks (2) stable housing improves health for low income

"State public health officials on Thursday released a raft of summer safety recommendations for preventing tick and mosquito bites, as well as precautions to take in the water and in cars.

The tips came in a detailed statement from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, or DPH.

Regarding ticks, officials said the “the single most important thing” residents can do is check themselves for the blood-sucking insects once a day."

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/03/metro/mass-health-officials-detail-summer-safety-tips-dealing-with-mosquito-bites-dangers-water/

Link to the DPH summer tips ->  https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance

‘It makes sense’: Stable housing improves health for low-income families, study finds

"Improving housing stability for low-income families in Boston, and assisting them in accessing social services, sharply reduced their health problems, a five-year study has found.

On Tuesday, the Boston Foundation released a report on the impact of Health Starts at Home, an initiative launched in 2015 with two nonprofits, Health Resources in Action and the Urban Institute. Its goal was to establish collaborations between housing services and health care providers to offer comprehensive support to families with children who were struggling to make rent and put food on the table.

“Part of the partnership between health care and housing is you have one person connecting the household to a whole range of services, whereas in the past you would have sent them to a housing specialist, and then someone who specialized in [food assistance] benefits, and then a different person doing a different thing,” said Soni Gupta, senior director of Neighborhoods and Housing for the Boston Foundation, New England’s largest community foundation. “It’s a kind of focus in service provision that we don’t typically fund at this level.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/06/03/metro/it-makes-sense-stable-housing-improves-health-low-income-families-study-finds/

The Boston Foundation report => https://www.tbf.org/news-and-insights/press-releases/2021/june/health-starts-at-home-evaluation-pr-20210601

Boston Globe: "As climate change makes more droughts likely, state plans to issue controversial new policy that may increase water restrictions"

 

"By the end of last summer, the dark waters of the Ipswich River no longer made it to the sea.

With the region gripped in historic drought, and millions of gallons of water siphoned away without restriction, the river ran dry. Millions of fish, insects, and other creatures died, and water actually flowed backward in some tributaries, sucked up by municipal wells.

With climate change expected to increase the frequency of droughts, state officials are preparing sweeping new restrictions to prevent future shortages in what would be among the most significant changes to water management in Massachusetts in decades and result in many municipalities, big businesses, and other major water users no longer being exempt from water restrictions."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/18/metro/climate-change-makes-more-droughts-likely-state-plans-issue-controversial-new-policy-that-may-increase-water-restrictions/

 

Drought Management Plan 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hWlQUaZSVogHzausB8zZKMWIWhPFSb7_/view?usp=sharing

Water Management Act - Permit Renewal

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JhjzrEhq7LDIGi3DOJ1Ik3GUIPTXdB9K/view?usp=sharing

new policy that may increase water restrictions

MA State News: Cheerleader hotspot with link to Franklin; travel order downgraded, MA cases stalling (not dropping); Franklin's cases increasing

"37 people infected in COVID-19 cluster at Weymouth cheerleading training facility"

"Thirty-seven participants at a youth cheerleading training facility in Weymouth have been infected with the coronavirus, the Weymouth Health Department said Thursday.

The total includes only the participants, not others such as parents or other contacts, because that is still being investigated, the department said.

Of the 37 infected, four are from Weymouth. Others come from Braintree, Rockland, Randolph, Quincy, Brookline, East Bridgewater, Hingham, Kingston, Marion, Franklin, Whitman, Dedham, and Easton, the department said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/18/nation/37-people-infected-covid-19-cluster-weymouth-cheerleading-training-facility/

"Massachusetts’ COVID-19 travel order will be downgraded to an advisory on Monday"

"Governor Charlie Baker’s office said the state’s travel order will be downgraded to a less onerous advisory on Monday, the same day Massachusetts moves to Phase 4, Step 1 of its economic reopening.

The announcement came in a statement Thursday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/18/metro/baker-issues-new-covid-19-travel-advisory-eases-some-restrictions/

"As some states see a COVID surge, Mass. cases stall at an ‘unacceptably high’ level"

"Massachusetts is entering spring on a hopeful note. The state earlier this week released its plan to open vaccination eligibility to all adults on April 19, and a few sunny, warm days have begun to coax residents out of their homes and winter coats.

But beneath the air of optimism lies a problem, epidemiologists caution: COVID-19 cases, after declining sharply in early February, have plateaued at an average of 1,500 per day, and the threat of another surge remains."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/03/19/nation/some-states-see-covid-surge-mass-cases-stall-an-unacceptably-high-level/

And Franklin's COVID-19 numbers for this week (and the past 3)

• 3/04/21 = 62 Total positive tests 1.11% Lower
• 3/11/21 = 77 Total positive tests 1.40% Higher
• 3/18/21 = 97 Total positive tests 1.80% Higher

MA DPH weekly report   https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-march-18-2021/download

Town of Franklin COVID-19 dashboard  https://www.canva.com/design/DAERJvYx-CA/RDnuYIFlWB8rUKQrGQlX0Q/view

 

Mass. Public Health: Trust the Facts! Get the Vax!

Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) tweeted on Sat, Mar 13, 2021:

"The #COVID-19 #vaccine does not contain the live virus. If you experience side effects, these are most likely signs that your body is building immunity against the virus. "

Learn more: https://t.co/Bm8ycw2dHa or https://www.mass.gov/info-details/trust-the-facts-get-the-vax

#TrustTheFacts #GetTheVax https://t.co/fs1fJWIMxk

Video link = https://youtu.be/ieT9k83bDaA

Mass. Public Health: Trust the Facts!   Get the Vax!

Mass.gov: "Use all of the tools available to #StoptheSpread"

Mass.gov (@MassGov) tweeted on Sat, Feb 27, 2021:

"Use all of the tools available to #StoptheSpread. Keep your friends and family safe by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. #COVID19MA" https://t.co/fsTh7qLCPD

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/MassGov/status/1365695724562903043

Mass.gov: "Use all of the tools available to #StoptheSpread"

Remember H1N1? There are more, one is H5N8

"A H5N8 strain of bird flu has been detected in humans for the first time, among seven workers who were infected at a Russian poultry plant in December.

There is no evidence of the strain being transmitted between humans, but Russia has reported the transmission to the World Health Organization.

The workers now feel well, and “the situation did not develop further”, according to Dr Anna Popova, head of consumer health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor. She said the workers had been infected during an outbreak of the strain at the plant."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/20/bird-flu-humans-infected-with-h5n8-strain-for-first-time-in-russia

Franklin's COVID-19 case count continue the downward trend

 

"The state releases a map on a weekly basis that uses coronavirus case counts to show which Massachusetts communities are at high, moderate, and low risk for COVID-19 infection. The state’s latest report lists a total of 66 Massachusetts communities now considered high risk for the spread of COVID-19.

The statewide average daily rate of infection per 100,000 residents was at 30, down from 38.5, last week, and Boston’s average daily rate was at 30.4, down from 38.8 last week."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/18/nation/see-which-massachusetts-communities-are-high-risk-covid-19/ 

The State weekly report:  https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-february-18-2021/download

Tucked in an updated at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, the revelation that Franklin lost 38 residents (85% over the age of 75) to COVID-19 thus far in the pandemic. As you read this, let's stop for a moment to remember those who have left us.

As for COVID-19 cases, we have dropped again to 2.4% (percent positivity test results). This continues the downward trend (from 3.7 last week and 4.7 the week before).

Franklin's COVID-19 case count continue the downward trend

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka - Feb 18, 2021

Statement from Senate President Karen E. Spilka

"I am deeply disappointed that today (2/18/21) so many Massachusetts residents are feeling frustration and anger on a day when we should be experiencing hope. I hear it and I feel it too. The Senate and House are holding a public, livestreamed oversight hearing on Thursday, February 25 and we expect answers from those responsible for this failure. The Administration must deliver a better experience for our residents, who have already dealt with so much anxiety and disruption."

CommonWealth Magazine: "State’s COVID-19 numbers trending down" and so goes Franklin - trending down!

 

"THE NUMBER of communities at high-risk for COVID-19 dropped 13.5 percent on Thursday and the state as a whole saw its numbers take a dive, according to the state’s weekly report.

The number of high-risk communities, identified as red on the state’s color-coded map, fell from 222 last week to 192 this week. The number of communities with more than 100 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks plunged from 29 to 9."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/states-covid-19-numbers-trending-down/

 

Franklin's COVID-19 dashboard  https://www.canva.com/design/DAERJvYx-CA/RDnuYIFlWB8rUKQrGQlX0Q/view

 

Weekly case count report (not updated since 1/12/21)

 https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/covid-19_case_counts_22.pdf

 

We are making progress; from a high positivity of 7.7, down to 6.7 last week and 5.5 this week. That is good! 

 

down to 6.7 last week and to 5.5 this week. That is good!

 

Town of Franklin, MA: "When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?"

Town of Franklin, MA (@TOFranklinMA) tweeted on Wed, Jan 06, 2021:

 

When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine? See the following website for updated information throughout the Winter and Spring. https://t.co/4dS2GR8J81

 
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1346955680251576327?s=03

Town of Franklin, MA: "When Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?"

Franklin moves to COVID-19 "red" status

From CommonWealth Magazine 

"MORE THAN HALF of the state’s 351 cities and towns are now considered high risk for COVID-19, as the situation continues to deteriorate across Massachusetts.

The state’s weekly report indicates 187 communities, up from 158 last week, are high-risk because they have more than 10 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks and a positive test rate (positive tests divided by total tests) of 4 or 5 percent depending on the size of the municipality.

Those thresholds, revised in early November to make it harder to be designated high-risk, are being overwhelmed. Of the 187 high-risk communities, 17 have more than 100 cases per 100,000 people – 10 times the state’s threshold."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/53-of-mass-communities-now-high-risk-for-covid-19/

 

The MA.gov DPH  report

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-december-17-2020/download

 

This is a warning status. If we are in 'red' for three weeks, then the restrictions according to our level would roll back a step.

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov #knowthefacts  

Shared from Twitter:https://t.co/7ysMYrX1TS

 

Fact vs Fiction from @MassGov

"State’s 2d surge is not the same as 1st"

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"THE STATE’S SECOND SURGE is continuing to build in intensity, with the number of cases starting to accelerate well beyond levels experienced during the first surge. But the outcomes of those cases, in terms of deaths and hospitalizations, are so far much less severe.

The number of cases hit a new daily high on Thursday of 6,477, which topped the previous high on Wednesday of 4,613. Baker administration officials said the Thursday number was inflated because of a software glitch that delayed a lab’s reporting of 680 positive cases. Yet even with those cases removed, the Thursday number was far and away the highest ever.

The number of communities at high-risk for COVID also kept rising, hitting 97 on Thursday, up from 81 last week and 62 the week before that. The so-called high-risk, or red, communities and the number of moderate risk, or yellow communities, now account for 67 percent of all municipalities in Massachusetts."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/states-2d-surge-is-not-the-same-as-1st/

 

 

Chart as of 12/1, as of 12/2 we were over 200 cases

MA DPH report on community data

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-december-3-2020/download

"2,200 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in MA"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 2,200 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 164,936.

This marks the second straight day that state health officials have reported more than 2,000 new coronavirus cases. The last time that happened was April 24-25.

An estimated 20,720 cases are active across the state, the daily report shows."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201107/2200-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-mass-23-additional-deaths?rssfeed=true

 

 

With rejiggered COVID-19 map accounting for population, many MA communities move out of red zone

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"WITH THE NUMBER of Massachusetts communities considered high-risk for COVID-19 growing at an alarming rate, the Baker administration on Friday changed the metrics it uses to set risk levels and cut the number of municipalities designated as red by 87 percent.

The administration had been using a one-size-fits-all system for determining whether a community was low (gray and green), moderate (green), or high (red) risk based on the average number of cases per 100,000 people over the previous two weeks.

On Friday a new system was rolled out that lumps communities into three different groups based on population size and then measures risk for each group using different metrics – the number of overall cases in smaller communities and a combination of cases per 100,000 and the positive test rate (positive cases divided by total tests) in the larger ones. Even the cutoff for the red, or high-risk, designation was raised from 8 to 10 cases per 100,000 people.

Using the new metrics, the number of red communities plummeted, falling from 121 a week ago to 16 on Friday. The number of moderate risk yellow communities increased from 76 to 91 and the number of low-risk gray and green communities jumped from 197 to 244."

 Continue reading article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/red-municipalities-plummet-with-changed-metrics/

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"One day after unexpectedly delaying the release of a weekly COVID-19 risk map, Massachusetts health officials revealed that the next edition of the map will be adjusted for the population of the state’s cities and towns.

Administration officials revealed the first revised map with the new calculations Friday afternoon.

Since the first edition of the map, the Department of Public Health has categorized communities into four color groups — gray, green, yellow and red — based primarily on the average daily rate of new virus cases per 100,000 people over a two-week period.

But only a handful of the state’s 351 cities and towns have a population greater than 100,000. Nearly half have populations smaller than 10,000."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201106/with-rejiggered-map-accounting-for-population-metrowest-and-milford-area-towns-move-out-of-red-zone?rssfeed=true