Coronavirus: Hingham Resident Tests Positive

HINGHAM, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Health has informed Hingham officials that a resident has tested positive for coronavirus. The Hingham Health Department said that all notifications have been made to those who may have been in contact with this resident, according to department guidelines.

No other information about the patient was released.

The Hingham Health Department reminds residents of preventive measures residents can take to help stop the spread of the pandemic.

Clean your hands often by using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places — elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people.

Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes.

Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks and cell phones).

Watch for symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of unprecedented measures across Massachusetts Sunday night to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, including closing all schools for three weeks, restricting public gatherings of more than 25 people, and ordering the state's restaurants close to patrons but remain open for takeout or delivery. The school and restaurant measures take effect Tuesday. The state also issued new public health orders, including banning visitors to most hospitals and nursing homes and having hospitals postpone elective procedures.

"If everybody treats this as a three-week summer vacation early, that's not going to help us," Baker said, urging families to take social distancing seriously.

Baker announced the aggressive actions after asserting he is not planning a widespread shutdown of the state. But the actions announced Sunday evening impose some of the most severe restrictions in state history.

Baker said schools will be closed through April 7. His order applies to all public and private schools, but not to special education schools.

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