4/7/2020 Press Conference on COVID-19 Updates

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On April 7th, Governor Baker gave a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update on Testing, Lowell CVS Testing Site, Command Center - Long Term Care Facilities, Critical Stabilization, and Personal Protective Equipment.

Here is the summary.

Testing Update

  • In addition to the state labs, there are now 25 public and private labs testing in MA.

  • As of yesterday, 76,429 patients have been tested. Nearly 4500 new tests reported in the previous 24 hours.

Lowell CVS Testing Site Update

  • The Site will test 1,000 people a day and will receive the results on-site in minutes.

  • Positive cases will be connected to the state’s contact tracing program.

    • Multiple language assistance

  • Available to residents who qualify based on the CVS website’s questionnaire.

    • Please visit cvs.com

  • Lowell site is stocked with PPE and current supply stock will get through the next two weeks of testing.

Command Center - Long Term Care Facilities Update

  • If an outbreak occurs in a long-term care facility, the Department of Public Health will assign an epidemiologist and nurses to support the staff.

  • Today, DPH has issued guidelines to protect residents and healthcare workers to reduce the spread.

    • Yesterday, DPH launched a nursing home family resource line dedicated to connecting family members of nursing home residents with information and resources.

      • Created to provide nursing home family members with one central contact that they can reach out to with any questions or concerns about the care their family member is receiving.

      • Please call: 617-660-5399 and is staffed 7 days a week.

  • Increase in rapid testing.

    • MA has launched a robust testing program for seniors to do on-site tests in nursing homes

    • Testing conducted by trained personnel in MA National Guard 

    • Samples prioritized for testing

  • The National Guard has been deployed to 80 facilities and completed more than 1350 tests in 7 days.

Critical Stabilization Funding

  • MA is putting $800 million into critical stabilization funding in order to support our healthcare workers responding to COVID-19. 

    • Funding will support hospitals, nursing facilities, primary care providers, behavioral health providers, long-term services, and support providers.

    • Funding will be distributed starting this month through July.

    • The majority of the funding ($400 million) supports 28 safety net and high Medicaid hospitals in order to:

      • Address lost revenue 

      • Stabilize the hospitals

      • Increase cost for hospitals at the front line in treating COVID-19 patients

    • Included in package: 

      • 20% rate increase for COVID-19 care

      • 7.5% increase for all other hospital treatment 

      • More than $80 million for nursing facilities

      • Facilities and units within nursing facilities that become designated COVID-19 sites of care receive approximately $30 million in additional funding

      • $30 million for other healthcare providers who are delivering medical care for COVID-19 or providing services that keep residents safe in their homes and out the hospital including:

        • $50 million for community health centers 

        • $30 million for personal care attendants

        • Funding for ambulance providers, community behavioral health providers, and home health agencies

        • Funding for certain long-term care services and support day programs such as Adult Day Health

    • The Executive Office of Health and Human Services will continue to evaluate the situation and report back in June.

PPE Update

  • To date, 475,000 masks have been delivered. 

  • MA has delivered 95 of the 100 ventilators from the Federal stockpile.