MAYNARD —Town Administrator Greg Johnson and Board of Health report that the Town of Maynard 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 Thursday’s data, there have been 9 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Maynard over the past two weeks. Maynard’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 6.2 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 1.4. Anything above eight per 100,000 nets a high risk designation.
“This is a noteworthy increase in cases, and our entire community should be focusing on the public health guidance we’ve been practicing for months now,” Town Administrator Johnson said. “Wearing a mask, practicing social distancing and washing your hands regularly– these are all steps we can take to protect ourselves and each other from this virus. Please, do your part to stop the spread of this COVID-19 here in Maynard.”
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 information from the Town of Maynard regarding celebrating Halloween safely this weekend can be found 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.
Additional information regarding the Town of Maynard’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the Town’s website: https://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/. For the latest case numbers in Maynard, click here.
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