The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108-4619
MARYLOU SUDDERS
Secretary
CHARLES D. BAKER MONICA BHAREL, MD, MPH
Governor Commissioner
KARYN E. POLITO
Tel: 617-624-6000
Lieutenant Governor
www.mass.gov/dph
March 9, 2021
Michael D. Hurley, Clerk
Office of the Senate Clerk
State House, Room 335
Boston, MA 0213
Steven T. James, Clerk
Office of the Senate Clerk
State House, Room 145
Boston, MA 02133
To the Honorable Members of the General Court,
In accordance with Chapter 287 of the Acts of 2020 and consistent with the Governor’s veto message, while the
Department of Public Health does not object to the submission of this report, the current due date does not provide
sufficient time to prepare a responsive report. To ensure the report reflects the true objective that the act entails, the
Department of Public Health plans to submit a full, comprehensive report on May 31, 2021. The report will include
the following details--
• A complete summary of the rules, regulations, guidance and best practices on
o The process of testing patients
o The process of testing staff
o The updated protocols on COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 related hospitalizations
o The use of PPE equipment for patients over 70 years of age and staff treating said patients
o The precautions for the transfer of patients from a hospital to a long-term care facility
Thank you in advance for your assistance with placing this letter in the record
Respectfully submitted,
Monica Bharel, MD, MPH
Commissioner
Department of Public Health
CC: Joint Committee on Public Health
Joint Committee on Elder Affairs