Lexington Public Health Statement On Coronavirus

From the Town of Lexington:

Posted on: January 27, 2020 - 9:51am

As of March 2, 2020, 43 cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) have been confirmed in the United States. This number includes 1 confirmed case of infection in Massachusetts.

Visit the MDPH website about the Corona Virus.Visit the Corona Virus website of the CDC.

We are in regular, frequent contact with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). MDPH has reiterated that risk to the general public in Massachusetts remains low.

We are prepared to respond to any updated directives from MDPH, based on public health risk and scientific data. We are also working closely with the Lexington Public Schools to make sure they also have the most accurate and up to date information.

The MDPH has:

• Established an Incident Command Structure to facilitate regular dissemination of information from federal and state partners to statewide stakeholders.
• Developed and disseminated clinical advisories to all Massachusetts health care providers and issued guidance to hospitals, health systems, and emergency medical services.
• Scheduled calls with other key health care partners including local boards of health.

Because we are in the midst of seasonal cold and flu season, it is important to emphasize the risk of exposure to seasonal influenza is a primary public health concern in Massachusetts at this time. We recommend people get their flu shot from their healthcare providers if they have not yet received one. There has been an uptick in seasonal influenza cases in recent weeks in Massachusetts and Lexington.

Prevent Exposure to both COVID-19 and Flu

The following actions will help prevent exposure to any respiratory viruses, including both Flu and Coronavirus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water (20 seconds of scrubbing) or use alcohol-based hand cleaners (cover all surfaces and rub until dry).
• Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which accelerates the spread of infections.
• Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
• If you are sick, seek health care, and avoid contact with others, including large social gatherings, meetings, and events.

Travelers' Health

As information and guidance are rapidly changing, please refer to the CDC Traveler advisory for the most up-to-date information.

Resources and More Information

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Information

Fact Sheets:

• English
• 马萨诸塞州公共卫生部情况说明书- Simplified Chinese
• 馬薩諸塞州公共衛生部情況說明書- Traditional Chinese

MDPH Resource Page

CDC Information

• CDC Coronavirus information
• CDC COVID-19 cases in the U.S
• CDC Traveler Advisory COVID-19

Contact Us

Should you have any questions, please contact David Neylon, Public Health Nurse, at (781) 698-4509 or dneylon@lexingtonma.gov. If the Public Health Nurse is not available, you may contact Kari Sasportas, Health Director, at (781) 698-4503 or ksasportas@lexingtonma.gov.

This press release was produced by the Town of Lexington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.