3/26/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates
/On March 26th, the Governor gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on expanding testing, new efforts for Boston’s homeless population, request to Federal Administration for Federal Disaster Assistance, PPE supply, new efforts for individuals with disabilities and their PCA’s, and three new orders affecting our healthcare system.
Here is the summary.
Expanding Testing
MA is continuously expanding our testing apparatus. Yesterday, reports showed that nearly 20,000 people have been tested so far.
Last week, Secretary Sudders announced a partnership between the Commonwealth and the Broad Institute which is a Harvard/MIT joint venture to help increase testing capacity.
With the Broad Institute, they expect that they will be able to process around 2,000 additional tests a day.
MA now has 21 labs testing samples.
MA has also increased access to telehealth in the last few weeks.
Giving more people the ability to connect with their providers remotely. A phone call or a video call with a trusted clinician is now a covered benefit by insurance.
If you have questions regarding if you should be tested, please reach out to your medical provider so they can walk through the process with you.
New Efforts for Boston’s Homeless Population
A former Boston Medical Center hospital called Newton Pavillion (now a state asset) will be temporarily re-opened to serve the medical needs of the area’s homeless population.
Newton-Pavilion will be operated by a consortium of providers, including Boston Medical Center, Boston Health Care for the Homeless, shelters in the city including the Pines Street Inn and the City of Boston’s COVID-19 response team.
The facility will be used as needed for a range of care needs and potential treatment for homeless patients.
The facility will be a safe/isolated place for people to stay and recover if they don’t require hospitalization.
Acute care, including ICU care, can be made available.
The facility will be used as a post-discharge center for people.
The center can fit up to 250 beds.
The City of Boston also announced 2.5 million dollars in grants to strengthen health care systems for the homeless population and the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Request to Federal Administration for Federal Disaster Assistance
Today, the Administration submitted a request through FEMA to the President for federal disaster assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This request for a major disaster declaration, if approved, will provide the Commonwealth additional federal assistance beyond what was included in the emergency declaration Governor Baker announced on March 13th.
The major disaster declaration would give support and flexibility to our communities as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Includes a request for FEMA’s public assistance program, which would make financial aid assistance available to cities and towns, state agencies, and specific non-profits.
Includes a request for FEMA’s individual assistance program:
1. Disaster unemployment assistance.
To provide benefits for workers that do not qualify for support through the regular unemployment insurance program.
2. Crisis counseling assistance to help support residents.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply
As of yesterday, MA has delivered 68 shipments of PPE to different entities in the Commonwealth.
Between MEMA and DPH, MA has sent about 150 shipments of supplies over the last two weeks.
Yesterday, more than 10,000 swabs were sent to 55 sampling sites.
Since Sunday, more than 28,000 masks and 120,000 pairs of gloves have been distributed.
The command center is currently working on placing orders for PPE and has placed more than $50 million in orders. They are also working with suppliers to expedite shipping.
MA has requested additional supplies from the strategic national stockpile and to date has received approximately 17% of our requests.
Efforts for Individuals with Disabilities and their PCA’s
In MA, there are just over 36,000 individuals who have significant disabilities and have Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services at home. PCA services are essential in supporting these individuals with their daily activities. PCA’s in MA are represented by SCIU Local 1199.
MA has partnered with Home Health Agencies and SCIU Local 1199 to deploy a PCA if an individual’s PCA is not able to come to work.
MA has created a dedicated hotline to ensure a smooth transition from one PCA to another. The hotline number is 1-844-422-6277.
Three New Orders Affecting our Healthcare System
Yesterday, MA announced three additional orders to ensure patient safety and to give hospitals and healthcare centers the flexibility they will need to serve persons who are in need of urgent care.
1. ) Nurse staffing. MA is temporarily exempting all hospitals licensed in the Commonwealth from the acuity assessed staffing and nurse to patient ratio requirements.
2. ) MA has suspended the process that healthcare centers need to go through in order to obtain approval for substantial capital expenses and/or renovations to respond to the virus. This will allow facilities to increase their bed and care facilities as needed.
3. ) DPH has ensured methods to license pharmacies and pharmacists to help maintain access to prescription medication throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.
Here are a few key points to know about this order:
Authorizes pharmacy technicians to remotely process patient prescriptions.
Pharmacists will not be required to obtain refill medication confirmation in order to provide medication for people with chronic conditions.
Allows pharmacists who are licensed in other states, who are also in good standing, to practice within MA during the emergency order.
Pharmacies will conserve sterile gear when there is a potential shortage.