Framingham Coronavirus: Schools Closed, Drive-Up Testing In Works

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham has called off school on March 13 to clean and provide social distance for staff and students. The announcement was made during a question-and-answer session held online Thursday afternoon with Superintendent Robert Tremblay, Mayor Yvonne Spicer, and Health Director Samuel Wong.

Tremblay said the extra day off will give the schools more time to clean. He also said that all school-related activities will be called off through the weekend.

"We need to limit the number of public interactions in our school spaces," Tremblay said.

Tremblay also said that no matter how many days the district cancels, the last possible day of school won't go beyond June 24. That's because Gov. Charlie Baker has moved back the cutoff day for making up days to March 15 in light of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Framingham identified the first presumptive positive case on Wednesday in a parent of a student at Potter Park Elementary. That student has begun to show symptoms and is under quarantine. However, the student may have had contact with up to 95 other students and staff.

As of Thursday afternoon, there was still only one presumptive positive case in Framingham. But Wong noted that there are many others getting tested. He suspects the number is higher because testing capacity at the federal level has been extremely slow.

The city leaders answered other questions from the community during the session about school and other functions.

Why are tents set up at Framingham Union Hospital?

According to Wong, the hospital has set up tents to prepare for wider coronavirus testing. The hospital does not want to bring sick people into the hospital who may put other patients at risk.

The hospital has declined to say when

What's the COVID-19 testing procedure in Massachusetts?

Samples from people tested for COVID-19 get sent to the state laboratory in Jamaica Plain. Positive tests go to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta for verification. Verifying tests at this point is taking weeks, Wong said.

What's happening with school buses?

Durham School Services, which owns the buses that serve Framingham schools, is disinfecting buses every day with a bleach and water solution, Tremblay said.

If my child is under quarantine, should his siblings stay home from school?

The CDC does not require it, but it wouldn't be a bad idea, Wong said.

How are schools being cleaned?

Schools are being cleaned every night, Tremblay said. Custodial staff will do deeper cleans through the weekend, however.

Will schools distribute hand sanitizer to students?

No plans to do that at this time.

What about community events?

Framingham is not canceling city events right now, but officials have provided a way for the public to participate from a distance.

Framingham's senior center, the Callahan Center, is open for now, and is being cleaned daily, Spicer said. People who are sick should not go there.

What about SAT testing this weekend?

SATs were set to be held in Framingham this weekend. Tremblay said that the College Board will provide guidance about what to do, but hadn't as of Thursday morning.

Should I get a face mask to protect myself?

Only in limited circumstances, Wong said: if you're caring for a person who has confirmed COVID-19, or if you have confirmed COVID-19.

If I'm under quarantine, can I order delivery?

Yes, you can get food delivered, Wong said. You can also go into your backyard, for example.

He emphasized that social distancing is the best way to fight COVID-19. That means keeping about 6 feet between you and other people. It also means doing away with some social norms — and stop touching your face.

"Shaking hands is no longer the norm," Wong said.

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