Community Corner
Coronavirus: Town Of Bedford Update On COVID-19
As of March 18, 2020, there are four presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Bedford, and three People Under Investigation.
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of the following Town officials:
Sarah Stanton, Town Manager
Find out what's happening in Bedfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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
The Governor declared a State of Emergency in Massachusetts due to COVID-19.
Active Cases
As of today, March 18, 2020, there are four (4) presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in the Town of Bedford, and three (3) People Under Investigation. The Board of Health continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach.
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.
Town/School Update-Temporary Food Bank- March 18, 2020
To assist and support Bedford residents in need, the Town is establishing a limited temporary food bank at John Glenn Middle School (JGMS).
At this time, the Bedford Food Bank will serve the following population: school-aged children/families of the Bedford Public Schools in need of food support at this time (including, but not limited to, students currently on free or reduced breakfast and lunch), previously identified vulnerable seniors and veterans, and existing clients of the Bedford Food Pantry.
- Families seeking support for school-aged children: bags will include five days’ worth of children’s breakfast and lunch fixings, and a few additional items to support the entire family, and will be distributed by school administrators at the JGMS drive-thru Food Bank.
- Vulnerable seniors and veterans, and existing clients of the Bedford Food Pantry: bags will contain goods for meal preparation.
To learn more about the food bank, and the ways to financially donate, please check out:
Town Update- March 18, 2020
To protect the most vulnerable members of our community, Chip-In Farms, Stop and Shop, and Whole Foods are now offering modified/set aside hours for only seniors to grocery shop.
- Chips-In Farms: 9:30-10:00 AM
- Stop and Shop: 6:00-7:30 AM
- Whole Foods: 8:00-9:00 AM (ID Required)
On Friday, March 20, 2020, the Bedford Board of Health will meet remotely to declare a Public Health State of Emergency for the Town of Bedford. Under the State of Emergency, the Board of Health will be requiring the closure of all fitness facilities, sports complexes, and encouraging local day-care providers to close in alignment with the Bedford Public Schools. The Town will provide further details as part of the daily update on Friday, March 20, 2020.
Bedford Neighbor Brigade-Here to Help!
- Bedford Neighbor Brigade is a volunteer network of over 200 volunteers standing by to offer care and comfort to individuals and families in temporary crisis in our community. At this time, they are available to deliver meals, offer dog walks and run errands. For more information, please contact Bedford Chapter Leader Amy Mason at BedfordMA@neighborbrigade.org or 781-526-5269. The Bedford Neighbor Brigade reports that volunteers who will be helping with this effort will have a valid background check, have completed a Food Handler Training and COVID-19 training. Although The Bedford Neighbor Brigade typically also offers rides to appointments, they have suspended this service during the current coronavirus outbreak.
- The Bedford Local Transit (BLT), the Town of Bedford's public transportation option is suspending service as of Thursday, March 19, 2020. Residents in need who require rides to medical and mental health appointments are encouraged to contact the Town Social Workers for connection to services. Residents who are 60 or older should contact Danika Castle in the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825 and residents under the age of 60 should contact Christopher Bang in the Youth and Family Services Department at 781-918-4328. For other errands, please contact Amy Mason at the Bedford Neighbor Brigade at BedfordMA@neighborbrigade.org or 781-526-5269.
Social Worker Services-Reach Out for Help!
As a reminder, Social Work services remain available for all Town of Bedford residents. The Social Workers can assist with:
- Ensuring individuals have food security during this time. Residents who are struggling with having an adequate amount of food in their homes can reach out to the Social Workers for assistance getting connected to the Bedford Food Bank, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP / EBT ), and other community resources. The Social Workers will work with residents faced with a hardship and unable to travel outside their homes.
- Information accessing financial supports such as SNAP, unemployment, MassHealth, and utility assistance.
- General support for coping with anxiety during this time. Residents are able to call and speak with a Social Worker who can provide strategies for managing anxiety.
- Outreach calls for residents who are experiencing isolation. Residents who are concerned about individuals who are experiencing isolation can contact the Social Workers.
- Getting residents connected with Health and Mental Health providers. At this time counseling services at the Town Center through Eliot Community Human Services are temporarily shifting to a tele-health service and referrals are still being accepted.
If you are a resident who is 60 or older, please contact Danika Castle in the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825.
If you are a resident under the age of 60, please contact Christopher Bang in the Youth and Family Services Department at 781-918-4328.
General Updates- March 18, 2020
- 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:
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:
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.
