The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Saturday to review the latest guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH), the office of Governor Charlie Baker, and Town Legal Counsel.
The COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of the following Town officials: Sarah Stanton, Town Manager; Jon Sills, Superintendent of Schools; Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services; Robert Bongiorno, Police Chief; David Grunes, Fire Chief; and Taissir Alani, Facilities Director.
The Governor has declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts due to COVID-19.
Active Case
As of today, March 14, 2020, there are three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Bedford. The Town will continue to notify residents as we receive information from the Department of Public Health.
School Update – March 14, 2020
If you need this update translated, please call your child’s school principal.
- Si necesita este documento traducido, por favor comuníquese con la escuela de su hijo.
- Se você precisa este documento traduzido, entre em contato com a escola do ses filho.
- Si vous avez besoin de traduire ce document, s’il vous plaît contacter l’école de votre enfant.
- 如果你需要这份文件翻译，请联系您的孩子的学校.
- ،إذا كنت تحتاج /تحتاجين إلى ترجمة هذه الوثيقة إلى اللغة العربية يرجى الاتصال بمدرسة طفلك/طفلتك.
Remote Learning
At the moment, the Bedford Public Schools are constrained by both state and federal authorities relative to providing formal remote learning. This is why, in yesterday’s message to families, the District shared that, for now, the District will be providing enrichment opportunities. Stay tuned for specifics from your school principal.
Should you have limited access to Wi-Fi in your home, please consider checking into the program linked here: https://corporate.comcast.com/covid-19 or call one of the two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English, and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.
Town Update – March 14, 2020
- The Town Election is currently underway. Thanks to Interim Town Clerk, Rosemary Harvell, Town Staff and Police Officers, and poll-workers for ensuring a safe, and well-run, election.
- As of today, March 14, 2020, Town Hall/Town Center remains open to the public during normal business hours. As the buildings will be operating with reduced staffing, prior to entering Town Hall, or Town Center, a police officer will ask residents/visitors questions relative to COVID-19: have you traveled in the list of countries identified by the CDC as high-risk, have you been in contact with a person deemed presumptive positive, and are you showing flu-like symptoms? If the answer is yes to any of the questions, the person will not be allowed to enter the building. The Town strongly encourages the public to limit physical visits to Town buildings if not critical.
- As the Town transitions to reduced staffing effective Monday, March 16, 2020, the Youth and Family Services (YFS) Office will remain open regular hours. Community Social Worker Chris Bang will be in the office, and available to consult with residents, in person and via phone, and assist them with acquisition of provisions, if necessary.
- The Town is working closely to ensure the Bedford Food Pantry remains open. The Town will have YFS personnel to staff the pantry, and employ social distancing during pantry pick up. The Town is also working with the School Department on the distribution of unused food they currently have in the cafeterias. The Town is also evaluating other food collection/distribution options. The Ashby Place Food Pantry will continue as scheduled with food drop off instead of pick up.
- Eliot Mental Health Services will continue their daily services in the YFS office. This service is vital to our residents, and it is incorporated into the Town’s continuity of operations plan.
- The Health and Human Services Department has prepared the article “Mental Health and Coping during COVID-19”, yesterday distributed through Facebook, local online and print media, and posted to the website. The mental health team at the schools is being readied as we anticipate a more broad support coalition will be needed for the community as mandatory quarantines expand.
- The Bedford Minuteman Company have announced that they are postponing Pole Capping, set to be held Saturday, April 11, 2020, to a date to be determined later in the year after the health crisis has abated.
- The Town urges reasonable caution and strongly urges all residents practice good hygiene, especially as it relates to hand-washing and covering coughs/sneezes.
- The Town has stated and continues to advise that those — including municipal employees, residents, or students — who are feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should stay home, self-quarantine, and not report to work or school.
- For previous updates on COVID-19 please review www.bedfordma.gov.
Although the risk to Massachusetts residents of the COVID-19 is generally low, the risk for influenza is currently high. Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your innerelbow, not your hands.
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
Additional Information
The best source of guidance and recommendations is the DPH website, www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus
If you are without internet capabilities, please call the State hotline 2-1-1
You can also check the Town of Bedford website for local updates and actions, www.bedfordma.gov
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