Coronavirus: 3 Confirmed Cases In Needham

NEEDHAM, MA — Needham has three confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in town. On Friday the Select Board voted to declare a state of emergency — a procedural move that gives the town

maximum flexibility during COVID-19 and provides additional resources for managing the outbreak.

To keep residents informed, the town plans on updating confirmed cases in Needham weekly each Wednesday at 5 pm., starting this week.

As the number of Needham cases slowly ticks up, the number of cases in Massachusetts jumped to 646 Sunday, an increase of 121. Gov. Charlie Baker said the state's goal is to expand daily testing, meaning the number will only increase. Monday, the governor issued a stay-at-home advisory.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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