IPSWICH — Town Manager Anthony Marino and Public Health Director Colleen Fermon report that the Town of Ipswich has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in an increased risk designation from the Commonwealth.
According to the public health data released on Thursday, Oct. 29, linked here, the Town’s designation is now “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” in the community.
Residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household.
According to the data, there have been 14 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Ipswich over the past two weeks. Ipswich’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 7.4 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 2.7. Anything above eight per 100,000 nets a high risk designation.
“It’s absolutely essential that residents are vigilant about the steps they need to be taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially during any Halloween festivities this weekend,” Public Health Director Fermon said. “Please be responsible– stay home if you feel sick or may have been exposed, wear a mask, and practice social distancing.”
“We are closely watching the spread of this virus in our community, and continue to ask our residents to adhere to public health guidance pertaining to COVID-19,” Town Manager Marino said. “These are precautions that can help us limit the spread of this virus, which is imperative to keeping people healthy, keeping businesses open, and so on.”
Residents who plan to participate in Halloween activities this weekend are asked to take several precautions. This includes considering one-way or “grab and go” trick-or-treating, wearing a face mask, observing proper hygiene, avoiding large or crowded gatherings and avoiding activities not with people in your household. Further guidance on celebrating Halloween amid the ongoing pandemic can be viewed from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health here.
COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:
- Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others, is critical.
- Those who must go out are urged to:
- Avoid gathering in groups
- Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
- Do not shake hands or hug
- Wash your hands often
- Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
- Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and with underlying health conditions.
- Face coverings should:
- Cover the nose and mouth
- Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with either ties or ear loops
- Permit breathing without difficulty
- Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.
Residents are also encouraged to visit https://ipswichcovid19.com/ for the latest updates and guidance pertaining to COVID-19 in the community. Additional information regarding the Town of Ipswich’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the Town’s website: https://www.ipswichma.gov/.
###