Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s case count, this message stresses the importance of social distancing (including a CDC video), with particular cautions against groups of people congregating in parks or on the Minuteman Bikeway. Governor Baker has extended Massachusetts’ Order to close non-essential businesses and the stay-at-home advisory to May 4, 2020. Also, gatherings are limited to no more than 10 persons.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Tuesday, March 31, 2020
The daily update is also available in the following places if you’d like to share with your friends:
- Website ~ www.BedfordMA.gov
- Facebook ~ @bedfordma
- Twitter ~ @BedfordMAGov
ACTIVE CASES
As of today, March 31, 2020, there have been a total of eleven (11) presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the Town of Bedford Board of Health by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH). Three (3) of these cases have already recovered and have come off of isolation and quarantine, and there is one (1) Person Under Investigation. It is likely that there are other individuals impacted by COVID-19 in the community that have not sought medical attention, and/or have not been tested and are isolating at home regardless. Those individuals do not appear on the surveillance reports the Town receives from the MA DPH.
The Board of Health continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach to those residents and close contacts known to us. Many of the identified close contacts of the initial cases never exhibited symptoms, have completed their required quarantine period, and have been released from quarantine by the Board of Health. The Town has also been informed of two (2) presumptive positive case at Hanscom Air Force Base. This individual has been released from isolation, and has no close contacts that the Town of Bedford is required to follow up on
Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms should immediately self-quarantine, isolate from household members and contact their healthcare provider for further guidance on whether testing is warranted.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Social Distancing: Town and School officials continue to strongly urge residents to deploy social distancing, and to adhere to the stay-at-home advisory.
The Town has received many complaints of people congregating in parks and on the Minuteman Bikeway. Public health officials urge parents and guardians to talk to their children about congregating with their friends. If children meet in groups, even small ones, it can put everyone at risk. There should be no playdates, and no groups of kids playing sports. Bedford is a thoughtful community, full of civic pride- ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable population should be everyone’s top job during this time. It is imperative that everyone, regardless of age, stay at home and away from non-family contacts. If you have to go out to conduct a necessary errand, like grocery shopping, picking up medication, or checking in on a neighbor who may need assistance, it is crucial you practice social distancing (keep 6 feet away from others).
Commonwealth Update: Effective April 1, 2020 at noon, Governor Charlie Baker is extending his order to close non-essential businesses and the stay-at-home advisory to May 4, 2020. An order to limit all gatherings to 10 people or less is also being extended to May 4, 2020. Governor Baker also announced that hotels, motels and online services such as Airbnb are now only permitted to offer rooms for “limited purposes” including “direct efforts related to the fight against COVID-19.” He cited as an example for healthcare workers and state residents displaced from their homes as a result of the virus
Stay healthy! … (and wash your hands as often as possible.)
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