Coronavirus: Framingham Recommends Face Coverings In Public

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The number of coronavirus cases in Framingham grew by about 34 percent over the weekend to a total of 143, officials said. Framingham saw four deaths related to the virus over the last week, but no new ones over the weekend.

Out of the total 143 cases, 21 people have recovered from the virus. That means there are 116 active cases, also subtracting the fatalities.

Framingham is now recommending that residents wear face coverings while out in public. Cloth face coverings can't protect healthy people from contracting the virus, but they may help people who are sick from spreading the virus in close quarters, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"[A] significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms, and those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, the CDC recommends wearing a cloth face-covering in public settings," the city said in a statement.

Face masks rated N95 provide the best protection from spreading and contracting the virus, but those items are being reserved for medical personnel and first-responders.