By Beth David, Editor
As of press time, Fairhaven had a total of 36 COVID-19 cases, with 11 active cases being followed by the public health nurse; and two COVID-19 related deaths. Acushnet had 16 confirmed cases.
In a briefing on Tuesday, 4/14, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker outlined the state’s efforts to increase hospital beds by establishing five regional field facilities.
The state set up a 94-bed Field Medical Station at Joint Base Cape Cod in Buzzards Bay that will be managed by Cape Cod Healthcare.
The state will also be setting up a facility at UMassDartmouth, with Southcoast Hospitals Group (St. Luke’s, Charlton, Tobey) as manager.
The state has also ramped up its reporting. By 4 p.m. each day, daily test reporting, including the number of positive cases, hospital bed occupancy and availability, and PPE distribution reports will be available. Find the links at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information
As of April 14, the state had 28,163 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Bristol County had 1,435 cases; Plymouth County had 2,207; Barnstable 514; Dukes 11; Nantucket 9. There were 957 deaths attributed to the virus in Massachusetts; 444 were in long term care facilities.
Total beds in the state suitable for COVID was 17,600, with 6,900 in Boston; eight percent of ICU beds were occupied statewide.
The surge is expected to hit its peak between now and April 20. The number of COVID cases could range from 47,000 to 172,000.
School Department Update
In an email sent over the weekend, Fairhaven superintendent of schools Robert Baldwin expressed concern for the well-being of students, families and staff.
“As I reach out to you this afternoon, my message will attempt to integrate both hope and reality,” wrote Dr. Baldwin.
Schools are closed by the state until at least May 4.
In his letter, Dr. Baldwin states 4/20–4/24 will still be April vacation. The end of the school year is still set for 6/22. If schools re-open on 5/4, the end of school activities will stick to their original schedule.
“Since March 13, 2020, the only information that has remained certain is uncertainty itself. As a result, we are proactively working on alternative potential dates for end of the year activities pushing as far back into June and corresponding with our last day on June 22, 2020,” wrote Dr. Baldwin. “With that in mind, it is my sincere hope that the Fairhaven High School Class of 2020 can graduate on Sunday June 21, 2020 and that Fairhaven High School can have Junior Day on Friday June 19, 2020.”
“Nothing can replace the ‘brick and mortar,’ teacher-led classes,” reads the letter. “Learning has its foundation in the relationships developed between learners and teachers, whether adults or children. There is no way to replicate this environment in a digital format in the middle of a pandemic.”
The letter was is on the Fairhaven School Department’s Facebook page.
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