Mayor Walsh’s COVID-19 press briefing on April 2, 2020.

• Numbers: 
  • As of April 2, there have been 8,966 cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, and 154 deaths statewide. There have been 1,233 cases in Boston. 106 people in Boston have made full recoveries, and 10 Boston residents have died.
• Importance of social distancing:
  • A surge in cases in Massachusetts is expected during the month of April, and the next few weeks will be critical in terms of physical distancing and slowing the spread of the virus as much as possible. Residents are urged to stay home and avoid contact with others whenever they can, stay at least 6 feet from other people at all times, and wash their hands and clean and sanitize surfaces frequently. The City of Boston is asking community leaders, local organizations, and non-profit partners to push this message out to their networks to make sure everyone is receiving this message.
• Veterans:
  • The City has been reaching out to veterans service providers and residential homes in Boston, to help them mitigate any risk and address concerns they have. Veterans and their family members can call 311 or email veterans@boston.gov to be connected to the City’s Office of Veterans Services.
• Hospital capacity:
  • Today, April 2nd, construction begins at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center to add 500 beds for treating homeless adults who have tested positive for COVID-19 and need care, but do not require full hospitalization. The City has released a Request for Proposals to secure a partner organization to operate the facility. If necessary, the Convention Center beds will be opened up for hospitals to use for sub-acute COVID patients in the general population.
  • These 500 beds will bring Boston’s total number of new beds for homeless individuals to over 1,000. This includes Boston Medical Center’s Newton Pavilion facility, which the City and State are working to re-purpose as a medical facility for homeless residents affected by the coronavirus.
• Housing supports for residents: 
  • The Mayor announced a new fund to help tenants who fall behind on rent in Boston because of the public health crisis. So far, the City has identified at least $3 million in City and federal funds that can be repurposed quickly to help tenants who can’t make their rent. This money will be targeted to households that have lost income due to the crisis, and who do not qualify for enough federal relief or unemployment benefits to make it up. The Office of Housing Stability will use its existing networks to get this help to where it’s needed, quickly and fairly. Email housingstability@boston.gov to learn more.
  • The Mayor also expressed his support of state legislation that will put a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures throughout the state of emergency.
• Small business supports:
  • The Mayor shared two new resources that will help small businesses during the public health crisis.
  • The City of Boston has created a Small Business Relief Fund. Drawing on a combination of City, federal, and private industry contributions, it establishes $2 million in grant funding---capable of providing a lifeline to hundreds of local businesses at risk of shutting down permanently due to the crisis. It will be administered as a streamlined version of the City’s Small Business Financing program. Small businesses can begin applying on Monday, April 6.
  • The City of Boston has also created a Financial Relief Handbook and FAQ document for small businesses. It’s a resource for navigating both public and private capital programs. It puts information and guidance about all the different programs together in one place.