Bedford Town Publishes Coronavirus Update

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

April 14, 2020

The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Tuesday, April 14, 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

We are sorry to report that today, a second death of a Bedford resident was reported to the Town of Bedford Board of Health (BOH) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH). Our thoughts go out to those families with loved ones stricken by or suffering with this illness.

As of today, April 14, 2020, there have been a total of sixty-two (62) positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Bedford among our residents. The total case number includes 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. Ten (10) of the total Bedford cases have already recovered and have come off of isolation and there are currently no known Persons 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. The VA prepares periodic reports of total numbers of COVID-19 positive Veterans at their various facilities, including the Bedford VA.

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.

All reports indicate these next couple of weeks will represent a surge in the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are expected to see our Bedford case numbers increase. As such, it is imperative to strictly adhere to all the proper personal hygiene and protective practices that have been presented since the start of this outbreak: abide by social distancing, stay home except for necessary, essential and allowable errands, don’t touch your face, engage in frequent handwashing, use sanitizer, regularly sanitize common-touch surfaces and wear a face covering when you must go out in public.

As mentioned above, the BOH continues to urge residents to strictly adhere to stay at home advisories and employ the use of social distancing protocols when conducting essential errands and visiting essential businesses. The BOH brings to the community’s the attention the Governor’s advisory for use of face coverings. People who show no symptoms of illness may still be able to spread COVID-19. A face covering may help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other people.

• A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas.
• Do not use health care worker masks, such as the N95 masks - those should be preserved for healthcare workers.
• It is important that you wear these face coverings or masks in situations where it is difficult to maintain a social distance of six feet from others. For example, in a pharmacy or grocery store.

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.