MA ICU Units Nearly Full As COVID-19 Cases Surge: Patch PM

MASSACHUSETTS — It's Monday, Dec. 6. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• An image used in Medford's Holiday Extravaganza last week was criticized by some in the local Jewish community, prompting an apology Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn.
• Hundreds of UMass Memorial Health employees chose to give up their jobs over the hospital system's coronavirus vaccine mandate this week.
• Melrose High Principal Jason Merrill plans to update the school community on the work of the Mascot Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with recommending a mascot and nickname to replace the Red Raider "that people can feel good about."

Scroll down for more on those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Today's Top Story

The intensive care units at some of the biggest hospitals in Massachusetts are at capacity following the recent surge in coronavirus cases.

Statewide, about 82 percent of ICU beds are full, above the national average of 76 percent. And in urban areas, ICU beds at some of the biggest hospitals —including Mass General in Boston, UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and Lowell General Hospital —are at 100 percent capacity.

Dr. Eric Dickson, UMass Memorial Heath President and CEO, said an increase in coronavirus infections, patients getting procedures and operations that had been delayed because of COVID-19, and shortages at nursing homes and other care facilities are the main factors contributing to the bed shortage.

Monday's Other Top Stories

No criminal charges for photo-posting student: The actions of a Wakefield student accused of posting hundreds of photos of female students on a social media site did not meet criminal standards, authorities announced Friday night. Wakefield Police Chief Steven Skory released the results of the nearly two-month investigation through a spokesperson Friday night, saying the department worked with Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office to exhaust all investigatory and legal resources. "Our investigators determined that while the male student exercised poor judgement and engaged in questionable conduct, the matter did not meet the standard of a crime," Skory said.

Backlash over menorah mix up: An image used in Medford's Holiday Extravaganza last week was criticized by some in the local Jewish community, prompting an apology from City Hall. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn said Friday the "offensive" picture, which was part of the public display at Wednesday's event, "misrepresented the Jewish Hanukkah menorah" and is "attributed with Christian symbolism." Incoming city councilor Kit Collins, who is Jewish, said the image was of a candelabra – different from a menorah used to celebrate Hanukkah – with captions associated with Messianic Judaism. The movement is considered part of Evangelical Christianity and diverges greatly with Judaism in many of its core beliefs, including worshiping Jesus Christ, Collins said.

Unvaccinated hospital workers fired: Hundreds of UMass Memorial Health employees chose to give up their jobs over the hospital system's coronavirus vaccine mandate this week. About 200 employees in the Worcester-based healthcare system lost their jobs after a Dec. 1 vaccine deadline passed. The employees could have their jobs back if they get vaccinated. UMass Memorial first announced a vaccine mandate in August, giving employees several deadlines to get fully vaccinated.

Arrest in fatal shooting: A Lawrence man was arrested and charged with murder Monday morning in connection with a fatal Sunday night shooting, officials said. Around 8 p.m. Sunday, Lawrence police were sent to Crosby Street for reports of gunshots, Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque said. Police found Jeffrey Ruiz, 21 of Lowell, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Ruiz was taken to Lawrence General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Do you have the best Christmas lights in America? Enter our contest and find out.

They Said It

"We know that there are divergent viewpoints across the community, but we have begun to undertake a fair and thorough process to invite a broad range of ideas and concerns."

• Melrose High Principal Jason Merrill, who plans to update the school community on the work of the Mascot Steering Committee. The committee is tasked with recommending a mascot and nickname "that people can feel good about."

Weather Alert

Possible snow in forecast: A week that's starting off with temperatures in the 60s could end up seeing the state's first widespread snowfall of the year. "We try to be sensitive to some who dread the possibility of Boston's first measurable snow this season," the National Weather Service tweeted Sunday. "But for snow lovers, like us, hope is on the way latter this week." Monday kicked off with rain and a mild feel to it thanks to a warm front, but it'll soon give way to a cold front and powerful wind gusts up to 50 miles per hour. The rain will return and last throughout Monday evening.

In Case You Missed It

Sheep kills farm volunteer: A Wellesley woman who volunteered at a Bolton farm has died after being rammed by a sheep. Kim Taylor, 73, was seriously injured after a sheep charged her and repeatedly rammed her Saturday morning at Cultivate Care Farms. Taylor was taken to Marlborough Hospital after she went into cardiac arrest and was later pronounced dead.