Bedford Coronavirus Update As Of March 21

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

March 21, 2020

Town of Bedford Update on COVID-19

The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Saturday, March 21, 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, March 21, 2020, there has been a total of four (4) presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Bedford, three (3) of whom have already recovered and come off of isolation and quarantine, and two (2) People Under Investigation. The Board of Health continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach. The Town has also been informed of one (1) presumptive positive case at Hanscom Air Force Base. This individual has been in quarantine since returning from overseas, and has no close contacts that the Town of Bedford is required to follow up on.

Anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms should immediately self-quarantine, isolate from household members and contact their healthcare provider for further guidance on whether testing is warranted.

School Update

The BPS website designed to share resources and learning enrichment information and activities is now live: https://sites.google.com/bedfordps.org/bps-resources-and-enrichment.

Town Update

Town and School officials continue to see residents using Town playgrounds, and playground structures. A reminder that Bedford playgrounds (areas with play structures of any kind) are closed until further notice. It is vitally important for residents to stop congregating outside, and to take these critical public safety messages seriously. What you do today will have a dramatic impact on cases we see next week. Taking action now is doing our part to slow the spread of the virus, reduce the number of people infected, and to avoid overwhelming our health care system.

To ensure our local businesses are able to weather the storm of COVID-19, the Town’s Economic Development Director, Alyssa Sandoval, has actively been working with local businesses (small and large) to keep them informed on available state programs, small-business initiatives, and provide support during this unprecedented event.

General Guidance

Town officials continue to urge residents to deploy social distancing, and limit social gathering. Go for a socially distanced walk, order take-out, get your coffee to-go, pick up a gift certificate, and support the local business communities from a distance.

Public health officials strongly discourage activities that promote gathering of people, including play dates, sleepovers, parties, social visits, and other activities where closer contact is the norm.

The Town has stated and continues to advise that those — including municipal employees, residents, or students — who are feeling sick with fever or flu symptoms should stay home, self-quarantine, not report to work or school, and contact their medical provider to determine if they should be tested for COVID-19.

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 currently circulating in the area. Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or 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 if you are not otherwise required to be in quarantine and must go out.

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

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

You can also the Town of Bedford website for local updates and actions: www.bedfordma.gov

Town and School officials, and the Bedford Health Department, remain in continuous communication about this issue, and further updates will be provided to the community as we receive them.

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