NORWOOD — The Town of Norwood seeks to provide updates to residents on a continuous basis.
Out of an abundance of caution, the Town of Norwood is acting to protect senior residents, who health officials have identified as one of the groups most at-risk for serious illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Following the guidance provided by the Department of Public Health (DPH) yesterday, which recommends that seniors and those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease avoid large public gatherings to mitigate risk, the Town of Norwood is postponing the following Council on Aging events until further notice:
- All exercise classes (the fitness room will remain open)
- Line-dance lessons
- Gary Hylander’s presentation scheduled for March 20
- Friends Pizza Party scheduled for March 27
- Bingo
- Book club
- Memory Cafe
- Triad
However, the Town of Norwood has elected to continue certain smaller group and individual activities to ensure that the town’s seniors still have access to essential socialization and services. The activities that will continue uninterrupted include:
- Card games
- Blood pressure clinic
- Taxes and SHINE appointments
- Outreach appointments
- Lunch will be available for takeout
- Medical equipment loan program
The COA bus will continue to operate, but will be limited to a handful of riders at a time.
“We fully understand the critical role that COA programs play in the lives of the seniors they benefit,” Norwood Health Director Sigalle Reiss said. “However, our top priority is protecting the wellbeing and health of our at-risk residents, so we are following the DPH guidance to limit large-group settings so that we can do all we can to prevent the spread of this virus to those who are most vulnerable.”
Norwood Recreation and Morrill Memorial Library programs will continue as scheduled, but participants are reminded to exercise standard precautions, while both departments have adopted enhanced cleaning procedures at the Civic Center and library to ensure that commonly touched items and surfaces are regularly disinfected. As is standard for all types of illness, residents should refrain from participating in recreation or library programming if they are not feeling well.
Norwood Town offices and departments, including Norwood Public Schools, are open and operating normally. Conferences, meetings and other discretionary gatherings scheduled and hosted by the town involving external parties will be held virtually or cancelled. Regular internal business will continue, including but not limited to mandated public hearings and board meetings.
All local actions are being undertaken in accordance with the latest guidelines from the DPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The COVID-19 situation is very fluid, and new information and guidelines are being posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on a regular basis.
Local, State and Federal Health officials are encouraging residents to take the following precautions to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu and COVID-19, from spreading:
- Wash hands frequently, with soap and water, for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- When sick yourself, stay home to protect others.
- Always cover your cough or sneeze.
The risk of COVID-19 to the general public in Massachusetts remains low, according to DPH.
For more information, visit the Town of Norwood’s COVID-19 informational page or call the health department at 781-762-1240. You may also visit the DPH’s website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.
Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.
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