Coronavirus In Newton: Latest Updates

NEWTON, MA — The new coronavirus outbreak is having vast impacts in Newton, from the closures of several businesses to schools to a new normal that involves working from home and waiting in line at the grocery store 6 feet apart from the next person.

The number of Newton residents who have died leaped to 12, Wednesday, April 8, and 256 others tested positive for COVID-19, up 78 from Tuesday. Statewide, 433 people have died and more than 16,700 have tested positive.

Here's the latest in Newton:

Newton Assisted Living Home
Five seniors have died of the coronavirus at the Falls at Cordingly Dam. An additional 46 have been diagnosed COVID-19. MORE

Small colleges nearby
For the past several years many small liberal arts colleges, including schools like Newbury and Mount Ida, have been under financial stress. Pine Manor College In Chestnut Hill Struggles Amid Coronavirus

For businesses

We asked local businesses to update their status and created a handy guide from their responses: Newton Local Business Guide: What’s Open or Closed

Newton’s Economic Development Director Devra Bailin is providing COVID-19 Newton Economic Development Updates (click here to sign up) for businesses and non-profits, including the state’s definition of essential and nonessential services, Small Business Administration relief options including the Paycheck Protection Program, counseling services and virtual informational events.

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber also providing information about federal and state programs for the business and non-profit community. MORE.

Grocery Stores

New Massachusetts Public Health guidelines limit the number of people who can be inside any grocery store to 40 percent of the stores’ allowed occupancy, including employees, in an effort to help maintain social distancing while people shop.

Store staff will be monitoring the number of customers entering and exiting and any lines forming outside or at registers to make sure people are maintaining a safe distance from one another.

Trash & Recycling

Newton’s Sustainable Materials Management team is updating the city's recycling app " Recycle Right Tool" to include information on how to properly dispose of items like face masks, gloves and antibacterial sanitizing wipes.

Masks, rubber gloves, plastic gloves, sanitizing or alcohol moist wipes should all go in the trash.

Officials stress that even the wipes, labeled "biodegradable" or "flushable" should not be flushed, as they can clog up the city's old sewer system.

The plastic canister that the wipes come in can be recycled, as can empty hand sanitizer bottles. The pump that goes along with the hand sanitizer should go in the trash.

Sign up for the city's updates on recycling here.

Virtual Library

The Newton Free Library issued 216 new library cards between March 13 and April 7 and there has been a 70 percent growth in residents taking advantage of the library's digital, online services, which range from eBooks, audiobooks, movies, language learning materials.

Got a physical book that you want to return? Those are not being accepted currently. All due dates have been extended to June 30. No fines will accrue during the closure of the building.

READ MORE:

Monday: Coronavirus In Newton: Number Of Cases Rise To 157

Wednesday: Deaths in Newton rise to 12

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).