Residents Urged to be Vigilant as Cases Rise and Holidays Approach
BRIDGEWATER — Town Manager Michael Dutton and Health Agent Eric Badger report that the Town of Bridgewater 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, Nov. 19, the Town’s designation is now “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” in the community. This risk level indicates 10 or more average COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents or a percent positivity rate of at least 5%.
According to today’s data, there have been 55 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Bridgewater over the past two weeks. The town’s average daily incidence rate has risen to 13.7 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 8.2.
“As cases continue to rise across the state, we urge everyone to continue to follow the proper precautionary measures, especially as the holidays approach,” Town Manager Dutton said. “No matter how you choose to celebrate, please be vigilant about mask wearing and social distancing, and be mindful of the state’s gathering limitations and travel order.”
Residents should continue to wear face coverings at all times while in public — indoors and outside — as well as practice social distancing and avoid gatherings. Residents are also encouraged to regularly wash their hands, and avoid touching their faces in order to reduce the risk of virus spread.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traveling increases one’s potential to be exposed to COVID-19 and of potentially spreading it to others, and the CDC strongly recommends that people do not travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Those who do travel must abide by the Commonwealth’s travel order, which can be found here.
For more guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving amid COVID-19 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), click here.
Additionally, residents are reminded that the closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in Brockton. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here.
COVID-19 prevention tips from the DPH 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 public spaces. This does not apply to those under the age of five 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 CDC website here and the DPH website here.
For the latest COVID-19 updates for the Town of Bridgewater, visit bwaterportal.com/.
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