WHITMAN — Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Timothy Grenno and the Whitman Board of Health would like to remind residents of important public health guidance regarding the spread of COVID-19, as cases both in town and across the region continue to rise.
As of Monday, Dec. 7, the Town of Whitman has 51 positive cases of COVID-19 and the Board of Health is continuing to investigate cases and perform contact tracing relating to cases in town.
According to the latest public health data published by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Friday, Dec. 3, Whitman’s average daily incidence rate per 100,000 residents is 23.0, indicating a “Red” high-risk community.
The Board of Health encourages residents to get tested if they have any symptoms (abdominal pain, chills, cough, headaches, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite, loss of taste/smell, muscle aches/pains, shortness of breath, sore throat or vomiting) or if they have been a close contact of a positive case.
Any resident who gets tested for COVID-19, for any reason, is asked to remain at home until they receive their results. This will help to reduce the spread in the event results are positive.
Residents are reminded to follow the “three W’s” to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes:
- Wear a Mask: Masks should be worn at all time in public spaces, both indoor and outdoor.
- Wash Hands Frequently: Follow proper hygiene, including regularly washing hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Watch Your Distance: Follow proper social distancing guidelines, including staying 6 feet from others whenever possible.
Additionally, residents are asked that if they are sick to please stay home from work, school or other activities.
Residents are also asked to keep in mind that the state announced that effective Sunday, Dec. 13, all communities in Massachusetts will return to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan. This will reduce indoor capacities across a broad range of sectors of the economy and tighten several other workplace restrictions. The roll-back is in response to an increase in new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations since the Thanksgiving holiday that is straining the health care system in Massachusetts. For more information on the roll-back, click here.
“We urge residents to please remain vigilant in their fight against the virus, and to get tested if they show any symptoms,” Chief Grenno said. “Doing so not only helps to keep you safe, but helps prevent the spread and in turn, keeps your loved ones and neighbors as safe as possible as well.”
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