COVID-19 Dashboard

A dashboard with daily data updates will is available Acton's Covid-19 Information Center: http://www.actonma.gov/covid19

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Translation of this update available upon request. Call 978-929-6600

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call 978-929-6600

Confirmed Cases

It has been reported to Acton Public Health that at this time there are 791 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in Acton with 18 individuals in isolation, 741 recovered and 32 fatalities (many of these at congregate care facilities). Above is a chart showing the cumulative number of cases in Acton in blue and the daily trend in current cases in red. The chart below shows the daily trend in current cases as red bars.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Preregistration System for Mass Vaccination Locations to Launch Friday, Updates on Dose Distribution in the Commonwealth & Designated Vaccine Clinic Days for K-12 Educators, Staff & Child Care Workers

The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a new preregistration signup tool will be available for the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites starting Friday, March 12. The new system will make it easier to request and book an appointment at a mass vaccination site at a nearby location when they are available. More sites will be added to the preregistration system in the coming weeks. When preregistration launches on Friday, it will replace the current booking platforms for mass vaccination sites for online booking. The COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line will be available to help residents without internet access or with difficulty using the internet with the preregistration process.
The Administration also announced the weekly distribution of vaccine doses statewide for different providers, reminding residents that there are 170 public vaccination sites statewide in addition to health systems that are offering appointments to their patients.
More information on vaccine sites can be found at: vaxfinder.mass.gov
The Administration also announced four dedicated educator days at mass vaccination sites and updates on vaccine distribution channels.
Preregistration System
Partnering with the Google Cloud Team, the Administration will launch a preregistration system for mass vaccination sites only starting Friday, March 12. This tool will be available at www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine.
Preregistration will allow eligible residents to book an appointment at one of the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites.
Details on the Preregistration Process:

Eligible residents will complete the online form at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine to request to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site nearby.
After completing the form, residents will get a confirmation via their preferred method of contact (text, e-mail, phone) and receive a weekly update about their status. Residents may opt out of their preregistration at any time if they secure an appointment elsewhere.
When an appointment becomes available at a mass vaccination site, the resident will be notified and will have 24 hours to accept the appointment once it is offered to them. If an appointment is not accepted after 24 hours, the resident will go back into the queue to wait for another appointment.
To accommodate older residents and others who are unable to use the form, the preregistration form allows family members, caregivers or other companions to fill out the form on behalf of someone else. Residents who do not have internet access or someone to fill the form out for them can call 2-1-1 to preregister.

Available appointments will be offered to residents based on their vaccine eligibility and the availability of appointments at mass vaccination sites nearby. Initially, this program is only for the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites. More sites will be added to the pre-registration system in April.
Massachusetts receives a very limited supply of vaccine from the federal government each week. Due to high demand and limited supply, there are only a small number of appointments for eligible residents. Given the limited number of available appointments due to constraints on vaccine supply, it could take several weeks for eligible, preregistered residents to receive a notification about an available appointment.
In addition to preregistering for a mass vaccination appointment, eligible residents are encouraged to book vaccine appointments at any of the 170 public vaccine sites across the Commonwealth. The state has also allocated a supply of doses to certain health care providers, hospitals and community health centers that will provide instructions to their patients on their vaccine process.
Once the preregistration system is launched on Friday, March 12, it will replace the weekly appointment release on Thursdays for mass vaccination sites only. Eligible residents will need to preregister online or contact the call center to request an appointment for a mass vaccination site.
The preregistration system will not impact this week’s appointment release on Thursday, March 11 for mass vaccination sites. Residents should follow the usual process on March 11 to secure an appointment as a mass vaccination site.
Other Ways to Access a Vaccine Appointment:
Eligible residents are encouraged to look for appointments at any of the state’s 170 public vaccine sites by searching vaxfinder.mass.gov.
This webpage contains information on locations, hours and instructions to schedule appointments.
New appointments are added frequently for many sites.
Vaccine doses are also provided to certain health care providers, hospitals, and community health centers. If you are an eligible patient, please follow instructions from your health care provider on how to access a vaccine.
State Distribution:
This week, the state will receive a constrained supply of about 155,000 first doses.
This week, first doses and second dose allocations (total doses), were divided among providers as follows:

Mass vaccination sites: 83,000
Hospital Providers (both private and public): 79,000
Regional Collaboratives (12 total): 38,000
Community Health Centers: 25,000
Local Boards of Health (to complete 2nd dose appointments and support 20 disproportionately impacted communities): 25,000

Weekly allocations are subject to change based on federal availability, demand from providers, and obligations to meet second doses. Providers have 10 days to use their doses.
Federal Doses:
In addition to the state allocation, the federal government distributes vaccines to CVS Health sites as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership as well as to certain Massachusetts federally qualified community health centers. These quantities fluctuate on a weekly basis and are not counted as part of the state’s weekly allocation.
This week, 95,000 first and second doses have been allocated to the retail pharmacy program and 19,000 Johnson & Johnson doses have been allocated to the federally qualified health centers.
Individuals looking to book appointments across any of these providers should visit www.mass.gov/covidvaccine to learn more.
Mass Vaccination Appointments:
On Thursday, March 11, over 40,000 new first dose appointments for mass vaccination sites will be made available to eligible groups through the state’s website and the COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line. Additionally, over 40,000 second dose appointments have also been scheduled at mass vaccination sites.
This is the last week that mass vaccination sites will be posted online on Thursday morning. Starting March 12, all mass vaccination appointments will be booked through the pre-registration system.
As more individuals have received a first vaccine dose across the Commonwealth, there is a greater need to book second appointments, so the mass vaccination sites have fewer first dose appointments available on a weekly basis.
Educator Vaccination Days
On March 11, pursuant to a federal directive, approximately 400,000 K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts.

K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff may receive vaccine from any of the 170 public vaccine sites available on mass.gov/covidvaccine.
In an effort to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s directive for states to prioritize teacher vaccinations, the Administration will designate 4 days where the state’s 7 mass vaccination sites will only offer 1st dose appointments for K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff.

These dates are: Saturday, March 27, Saturday, April 3, Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11

Workers in this group must use the pre-registration system to request an appointment at one of the seven mass vaccination sites and attest they are a K-12 educator, childcare worker or K-12 school staff.
All other vaccine providers (including Regional Collaboratives) are encouraged, but not required, to restrict their appointments to K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff on Saturday, March 27 , Saturday, April 3 , Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11, for consistency. Providers may designate alternative dates, in lieu of the 4 dates designated by the State, if necessary.
Clinics may not restrict access to individuals who live or work in a particular area.
All vaccine providers (including regional collaboratives) must submit their dates for educator clinics by Tuesday, March 16. The Command Center will post the schedule for all clinics next week.

K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff are urged to book appointments through mass.gov/COVIDvaccine beginning on March 11 as well as to book through the federal retail pharmacy program’s CVS website. Given the limited supply of vaccine, K-12 educators, childcare workers and K-12 school staff may not receive vaccine until mid-April or later.
Mass Vaccination Locations:

Springfield, Eastfield Mall
Natick, Natick Mall
Foxboro, Gillette Stadium
Danvers, Doubletree Hotel
Boston, Fenway Park (through 3/27) and Hynes Convention Center (starting 3/18)
Roxbury, Reggie Lewis Center
Dartmouth, Former Circuit City

Regional Collaboratives:

Barnstable County
Berkshire County Boards of Health Association
Franklin County Regional Collaborative
Harrington Hospital, in Collaboration with LBOH
Heywood Hospital, in Collaboration with LBOH
Lawrence General Hospital, in Collaboration with LBOH
Marshfield-Plymouth
Northampton & Amherst
Randolph – Collaboration between Avon, Holbrook, and Randolph
Rutland
Worcester, Worcester State University, Commonwealth Medicine and St. Vincent Hospital
Lower Merrimack Valley- Collaboration between Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimack, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury
Southern Worcester County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Coalition- Collaboration between Uxbridge, Northbridge, Mendon, Douglas, Bellingham, Blackstone, Hopedale, Millville, Milford, Oxford, Upton, Sutton

Town of Acton Holds Two Successful
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Acton's Vaccine Working Group, comprised of Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Anita Arnum, Nursing Director Heather York, Health Director Sheryl Ball, Council on Aging Director Sharon Mercurio and Town Manager John Mangiaratti, wishes to inform the community about the success of its most recent COVID-19 vaccination clinics last week.

Health-care workers have administered roughly 232 first doses and completed the vaccination regimen with a second dose for 114 other people so far, in the five site-based clinics and six mobile clinics to date.

The town has planned two more clinics, on Saturday, March 20, and Friday, April 2. These follow-up clinics are open only to residents who received their first dose at the Town clinics on Feb. 20 and March 4, respectively.

The Acton Board of Health is seeking additional vaccination allotments and will notify the community promptly if more vaccines are provided by the state for future clinics.
The Town strongly urges residents to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they are eligible.

To make an appointment at a vaccination site:
Visit mass.gov/COVID-vaccine to find your phase and priority group.
If you’re eligible, visit mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap to find a vaccine clinic near you.
Make an appointment online and fill out the attestation form.
Residents 75 and older without internet access or who otherwise cannot use the online appointment site may access the state’s 211 hotline. Seniors may dial 2-1-1 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and speak with trained staff who will help schedule appointments.

There is no cost to obtain the vaccine, but patients will be required to present their insurance and identification cards, as well as the attestation form found here. Individuals must present proof of their eligibility to receive the vaccine.

Residents should note that while the state is creating more mass vaccination sites and they may become eligible to receive the vaccination in the coming weeks, vaccination distribution is contingent on the number of vaccines available. Residents are asked to remain patient and are encouraged to check the appointment webpage often as new locations and additional appointments are added.

Residents are reminded that a second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are required to be fully vaccinated, and you must receive both doses at the same site. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires a single dose.

The general public will not be eligible to receive the vaccine until April. To review the full vaccination distribution timeline, click here.

For the latest updates regarding vaccination distribution in Massachusetts, click here. To learn more about frequently asked questions regarding the vaccine, click here.
The Acton Public Health Department encourages everyone to stay informed regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process. The following resources are recommended for the most up-to-date information:
Acton COVID-19 Information Center: acton-ma.gov
Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Timeline Phase Overview: click here
Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions: click here
Latest vaccine update in Massachusetts: click here
Vaccine locations for individuals currently eligible to be vaccinated in Massachusetts: click here
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Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Updates from Governor Baker

K-12 educators and staff and child care workers eligible for vaccine appointments on March 11
March 3

Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Feb. 25

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $4.7 Million for Vaccine Equity in Hardest-Hit Communities; Regional Vaccination Collaboratives
Feb. 24

State and local officials continue discussion of vaccine challenges stration Announces Vaccine Appointment Booking for Individuals Ages 65+, Individuals with 2+ Certain Medical Conditions to Begin on February 18th
Feb. 17

Administration launches targeted outreach initiative in 20 hardest hit communities to increase equity in COVID-19 vaccine awareness and access; $1m to support vaccination in historically underserved communities
Feb. 16

Administration Launches New Vaccine Location Finder and Appointment Finder for Some Sites
Feb. 12

Click here to access the vaccine interest form

Acton COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form

The Town of Acton has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form. Acton residents or those who work in Acton who meet the eligibility criteria for Phase One or the first two priority groups of Phase Two (individuals age 75+ and individuals age 65+ or with two or more comorbidities) and are interested in receiving the vaccine are asked to complete this form. The form will be used to notify respondents of their eligibility only. It is not a form for reservations, a waitlist or appointments.

Not all subgroups are currently listed on the Vaccine Interest Form. The town will update the form regularly as new subgroups are identified by the state and become eligible for the vaccine.

You may fill out the form on behalf of someone else. If you are inquiring about the eligibility of more than one person, please fill out one form for each person.

Eligibility notifications and updates will be sent via email. If you don't have access to email and don't have someone who can submit the form on your behalf, the town will call you at the number provided on the form.

If you do not have access to the internet to submit the form, please contact the Acton Town Services Hotline at 978-929-6600.

Town officials will continue to monitor the situation and share updates, such as specific dates of when the vaccine may become available to more people, as that information becomes available.

The Acton Public Health Department encourages everyone to stay informed regarding the COVID-19 vaccination process. The following resources are recommended for the most up-to-date information:

Childcare Subsidy, Rent Relief, and Mortgage Relief Programs Available

New Childcare Subsidy for Income-Eligible Local Families

Childcare Subsidies are available for low to moderate-Income families in Acton.

Participating families will receive $3,000 for children preschool aged or younger and $2,000 for children in Kindergarten to age 13 towards their daycare or after school costs so that parents and guardians may work, go to school or seek employment.

Funds will be allocated to income qualified families on a first come, first serve basis by each Town using the income limits below with a maximum award during the grant year not to exceed $5,000 per child. Interested residents should contact the Laura Ducharme lducharme@actonma.gov or (978) 929-6651.

The Town also would like to notify residents that the Emergency Rental Assistance Program ( ERAP) and Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) are currently accepting new applications.

The MAP and ERAP Programs are a collaborative effort with the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO), who will provide administrative support for the program.

Income eligibility for the ERAP and MAP program is up to 100% of the Area Median Income ($119k for a family of four).

Eligible residents are encouraged to apply for these programs. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis until funds are exhausted
To learn more about additional local and government resources available to assist with rent and other essential needs please visit abuw.org/COVID19.
For more information about the ERAP, MAP or Childcare Subsidy programs or to request application assistance please contact:

Laura Ducharme, Community Services Coordinator at (978) 929-6651 or lducharme@actonma.gov

Updates from Board of Selectmen Meeting

Use the following link to view the latest updates from the Board of Selectmen Chair.
http://www.actonma.gov/bos

View testing location map

Testing Information

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides comprehensive information about COVID-19 testing including an updated list of testing locations. More information is available at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing. An interactive map showing testing locations is also available using the link on the left.

Town Services Hotline (978) 929-6600

The Acton Town Services Hotline is available to connect residents with a live worker to receive information and answers to their questions about the latest government news, COVID-19, and Town services in general. Hotline workers also help answer questions related to the topics such as town meetings, financial relief programs for residents and business owners, and Town reopening plans. The Acton Town Services hotline number is 978-929-6600 and is open on Monday through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Watch now!

Java with John Program

For the latest COVID information other updates from Acton Town Manager John Mangiaratti and guests tune into the Java with John program Fridays at 10am. View previous episodes using the link shown to the left. This program is produced by the Acton Council on Aging in collaboration with ActonTV. The weekly program is also broadcast live on local FM radio at Acton's station WAEM 94.9 FM.

Make an Appointment for Curbside or Window Service

Due to the increase in COVID cases all Town Hall services are now by appointment only. Appointments can be made to meet at a service window or in the rear Town Hall parking lot for curbside. All town buildings remain closed to the public while Massachusetts’s State of Emergency is in effect. The closures are being ordered out of an abundance of caution in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and promote social distancing. Town Hall services are still operational and staff is available during normal hours throughout the work week. Please use www.actonma.gov to use the numbers below to contact staff.

Finance Department
Residents may call or email to make an appointment.

Assessor’s Office: 978-929-6621, assessor@actonma.gov
Collector’s Office: 978-929-6622, collector@actonma.gov
Town Clerk's Office: 978-929-6620, clerk@actonma.gov

Land Use Department
In-person customer service by appointment only. Call or email to make an appointment.

Building Division: 978-929-6633, building@actonma.gov
Conservation Division: 978-929-6634, nr@actonma.gov
Health Division: 978-929-6632, health@actonma.gov
Planning Division: 978-929-6631, planning@actoma.gov

Town Manager's Office

978-929-6611, manager@actonma.gov

Town Services Hotline

978-929-6600

Library Curbside Service

Due to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases, Acton Memorial Library is temporarily suspending all in-person browsing appointments. The good news is we are able to add more on demand curbside hours this week and next week!
Come to the library during curbside hours and call 978-929-6655, option 2. A library staff member will bring your holds outside.

For further updates on library hours and services, please go to our website at actonmemoriallibrary.org

Transfer Station

The Acton Transfer Station will continue operating with the adjusted schedule for the initial reopening. The facility is currently open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour (7-8 a.m.) is designated for Seniors (65+). The Transfer Station will also begin to accept payments (checks only) at the office for bulky items by early June. Staff are continuing to look at how to re-introduce some recycling streams such as polystyrene in later phases.
The purchase of Transfer Station and Recycling Facility vehicle stickers are now available online.
For more information on the Transfer Station and Recycling Center, please call 978-929-7742.

For Additional Updates on Town Services go to the COVID-19 Information Center http://www.actonma.gov/covid19