April 11: Town Of Bedford Update On Coronavirus

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

April 11, 2020

The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Saturday, April 11, 2020 to review the latest guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH), the office of Governor Charlie Baker, and Town Legal Counsel.

The COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of the following Town officials:

Sarah Stanton, Town Manager

Jon Sills, Superintendent of Schools

Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services

Robert Bongiorno, Police Chief

David Grunes, Fire Chief

Taissir Alani, Facilities Director

Active Cases

As of today, April 11, 2020, there have been a total of forty-eight (48) positive cases of COVID-19 in Bedford and one (1) death reported to the Town of Bedford Board of Health by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH). The total case number incudes residents of the Town of Bedford, Hanscom Air Force Base and the Bedford Veteran’s Administration (VA) Campus as reported to us by the MA DPH.

Nine (9) of the total Bedford cases have already recovered and have come off of isolation and there is currently one (1) known Person Under Investigation. There are other individuals impacted by COVID-19 in the community that have not sought medical attention, and/or have not been tested and are isolating at home regardless. Those individuals do not appear on the surveillance reports the Town receives from the MA DPH.

The Board of Health continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach to those residents and close contacts known to us and the VA is conducting follow-up and contact tracing of the Veteran’s under their care. Many of the identified close contacts of some of the Bedford cases never exhibited symptoms, have completed their required quarantine period and have been released from quarantine by the Board of Health.

General Guidance

For previous updates on COVID-19, please review the COVID-19 News and Announcements Page at on the Town website (www.bedfordma.gov).

It is important to remember that while the COVID-19 outbreak is evolving quickly, influenza is still circulating in the area. Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against COVID-19:

• Comply with the Governor’s Stay at Home Order and non-quarantined residents should only leave the house for grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments or some socially distanced fresh air. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• While fresh air and exercise are important components to staying healthy during the COVID-19 epidemic, please be mindful that if you are using the Minuteman Bikeway or the Bedford Trails, it is important to maintain social distancing of 6 feet from others and you are encouraged to cover your face when out in public.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs, countertops, cell phone, television remove, computers, sink faucets, etc.) with household cleaning spray or disinfecting wipes.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
• Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Employ social distancing and keep 6 feet apart from others if you are not otherwise required to be in quarantine and must go out.
• For those at home, a little moderate exercise or meditation goes a long way. Get up, stretch, and maybe have a short walk.

The best source of guidance and recommendations is the DPH website: www.mass.gov/covid19

Alternatively, if you are without internet capabilities, please call the State hotline: 2-1-1.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.