ByColleen Doyle, Assistant Town Manager for Human Services and Administration |
In addition to the current case counts, this week’s full update includes information on Stop Gatherings without Precautions; CDC Updates its Definition of Close Contacts; Some Reasons why a Bedford School Community Member (SCM) might have No Close Contacts in the Schools; and Operation of Indoor Ice Rinks and Indoor Ice Skating and Hockey Facilities – Temporary Ban
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Friday, October 23, 2020
ByHeidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services |
Frequently Asked Questions on COVID-19 and their Response to Positive Cases and Contact Tracing.
Will the names of positive COVID-19 cases in the school community be released?
No
Will personal health information be released on COVID-19 positive cases?
No.
Will the identification of individual classrooms occupied by positive cases be released?
At this time, no.
If it is determined that my child is not a close contact, will I be informed that a child/teacher in my child’s class has tested positive?
At this time, no.
How will I know if there is a case of COVID-19 in my child’s classroom/school?
The school nurses strive to monitor illness and potential COVID-19 cases as well as identify any possible positive cases in the school community. Recognizing the importance of protecting confidentiality and following the MA DPH guidelines for close contact management, at this time you will be only notified if your child is considered a close contact.
If my child is diagnosed with COVID-19, will his/her/their privacy be maintained?
Your child’s name will not be revealed if diagnosed with COVID-19. Close contacts will be notified and told that they have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, and will be provided with information about quarantine and given further instructions. No personal identification will be given to others.
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to the current case count, this update contains information on Influenza Vaccination Clinics; Mental Health and Social Services Available to Bedford Residents; Gatherings without Social Distancing – Impacting Start of School in Some Communities
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, September 17, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to the case count from Town Manager Sarah Stanton, this report includes information on Flu Clinics (Registration opens tomorrow for Walk-Up Clinic on Saturday, September 26) and precautions for safety during rallies and protests.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, September 10, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s case counts, this update contains information on the new schedule for the Town’s Covid updates; celebrating Labor Day weekend safety; more office hours with Sarah Stanton; cautions about ‘Contact Tracing’ scams; and information on Bedford’s autumn flu vaccine clinics.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, September 3, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to current case counts, this edition of the Town’s Covid update includes Today’s information about Bedford’s Influenza Vaccine Clinics; the CodeRED Emergency Notification System; updates to the COVID-19 Travel Order; small business updates; and information about the September 1 Massachusetts Primary election.
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to Bedford’s current case counts, today’s update includes Back to School Supports for Parents, Influenza Vaccine Requirement and Flu Clinics, and Election Information
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, August 27, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to today’s case count, this update from Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Covid-19 Task Force includes the Influenza Vaccine Requirement and news that free Covid tests will be available until September 12
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, August 24, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s Case Count, presented in a new format, today’s update from Town Manager Sarah Stanton includes information about the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Travel Order and Bedford’s Mental Health and Social Service Resources. Today’s PDF link is a long one with substantial additional information.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, August 20, 2020
Editor’s Note: Today’s update from Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Covid-19 Task Force includes the Baker-Polito Administration’s revised strategy for counting coronavirus cases in Massachusetts.
Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town will be designated a color – white, green, yellow, or red. White and green are lower-risk communities, yellow represents a moderate-risk community and red represents a higher-risk community. As of August 12, 2020, Bedford was designated as a “yellow”, or moderate risk community.
In the 14-days leading up to August 5, 2020, six hundred seventy (670) Bedford residents had been tested for COVID-19, and eight (8) were determined to be positive. This resulted in a 1.19% positivity rate for that time period. The rate for all of MA during that same time period was 1.82%. During the same period, a month earlier (14-days leading up to July 8th), Bedford’s positivity rate was 1.63% and the state rate was 2.25%.
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to current case counts, today’s update includes Orders from the Governor – Gatherings and Restaurants; September 1st Election Information; Mask Up MA! Safe Practices Concern Form; and Need a COVID-19 test?
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, August 10, 2020
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, August 6, 2020
Editor’s Note: In addition to the current case count, today’s update is chock full of information: Bedford Awarded Shared Streets Grant to Promote Public Health, Safe Mobility and Renewed Commerce; September 1st Election Information; Town Manager Virtual Office Hours; Reminder on Gatherings; Bedford’s Social Workers – Appreciated by the VA ; Bedford Food Bank – Now at the Town Center Building; Mask Up MA!; Household Hazardous Products Collection Events – COVID-19 Safety Requirements; Hand Sanitizer Recall – List Expanded; Need a COVID-19 test? The semi-weekly update is also available in the following places if you’d like to share with your friends:
As of today, August 6, 2020, there have been a total of two hundred seventy-five (275) positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the BOH by the MA DPH, of those, one hundred sixty (160) are Bedford residents not living in a healthcare/long term care setting. The deaths of forty-six (46) Bedford residents have been attributed to COVID-19. The total case number includes residents of the Town of Bedford, including but not limited to those in single-family homes, apartments, the VA campus, Hanscom Air Force Base, special needs group homes and other larger assisted living/care facilities in Bedford as reported to us by the MA DPH. As you may be aware, long-term care facilities serving the elderly and congregate-care facilities, house susceptible populations with underlying conditions who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
Editor’s Note: In addition to the current case count, read important information about adjustments to Bedford’s Food Bank now being held on Thursday afternoons.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, August 3, 2020
In addition to the current case count, today’s update includes the following information:
Diapers and Personal Items Available for Residents In Need
Hand Sanitizer Recall
Governor’s COVID-19 Travel Order
Need a COVID-19 Test?
Food Bank-New Location and New Time!
On July 10, 2020, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) rescinded a previous emergency order related to grocery stores and pharmacies that, in part, prohibited the use of reusable checkout bags by grocery stores and pharmacies and their patrons.
ByColleen Doyle, on behalf of Town Manager Sarah Stanton |
In addition to today’s current case counts, today’s update from Colleen Doyle and the Covid 19 Task Force includes details about the COVID-19 Travel Order that will go into effect on August 1; Check on Your Mental Health; When “Stay at Home” Isn’t Safe; Food Bank is planning for a new location and day/time; “Stop the Spread” Testing Sites Open in 8 Communities
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, July 27, 2020
Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s Case Count, there is news of canceled Town events through the end of 2020, a change to the Bedford Food Bank pick-up time and place. Click the full update link and learn about the return of reusable bags, an extension of the moratorium on evictions and foreclosers to October 17, and Step 1 of the Phase III adult/amateur sports reopening.
In addition to the current case count, Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Covid-19 Taskforce shared information about staying cool during hot weather. Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, July 20, 2020
The semi-weekly update is also available in the following places if you’d like to share with your friends:
Current Cases
Over the past several weeks, the Bedford Board of Health conducted a comprehensive review of COVID-19 positive cases and the case count as reported to the town by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH). The review revealed duplicate cases, cases that belong to other jurisdictions, and cases reported to other jurisdictions that are actually Bedford residents, which has led to adjustments in the Bedford case count reported today. The data reporting discrepancies typically result from incomplete information provided by an individual at the time of testing. As more information is obtained by the Board of Health relative to ongoing case investigation, the total case count will be adjusted and reported accordingly.
Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s case count, the report outlines the requirements for Step 1 of the Reopening Plan for Allowed Youth and Adult Amateur Sports Activities in Phase III
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Thursday, July 16, 2020
Editor’s Note: Thanks to Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Covid-19 Task Force for today’s case count and cautions to travelers visiting or returning to Massachusetts
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, July 13, 2020
Editor’s Note: Today’s semi-weekly update from Town Manager Sarah Stanton and the Covid-19 Task Force includes the current case count, Phase 3 re-opening details, and the Town’s information about Annual Town Meeting. Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Monday, July 6, 2020
The semi-weekly update is also available in the following places if you’d like to share with your friends:
Current Cases
As of today, July 6, 2020, there have been a total of two hundred fifty-eight (258) positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the Town of Bedford Board of Health by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH), of those, one hundred forty-six (146) are Bedford residents not living in a healthcare/long term care setting. The deaths of forty (40) Bedford residents have been attributed to COVID-19. The total case number includes residents of the Town of Bedford, including but not limited to those in: single-family homes, apartments, the VA campus, Hanscom Air Force Base, special needs group homes and any and all other larger assisted living/care facilities in Bedford as reported to us by the MA DPH. Two hundred and one (201) of the total Bedford cases have already recovered and have come off isolation and there may other Bedford residents who would be considered persons under investigation in that they are symptomatic, have undergone testing but have not yet received results.
