Wilmington Coronavirus: Town Parks And Fields Closed

WILMINGTON, MA — All Wilmington recreation ares are closed as part of efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, the town announced Thursday. That includes playgrounds, parks, basketball and tennis courts, athletic fields, and the dog park. The closure will remain in effect until further notice.

The town issued an update shortly after publication emphasizing that all town-owned property intended for recreation is closed. That also includes the pickle ball courts, the skate park, the town beach, walking trails and the town forest.

The closure conforms to recommendations to reduce gatherings.

"Gov. Charlie Baker has issued a directive limiting gatherings to 25 or less while President Donald Trump has recommended that gatherings be limited to not more than 10 individuals," the announcement noted. "In light of the Governor’s directive and the President’s recommendation and based upon recent observations of gatherings at several of the parks this step is being taken. The Town recognizes that this measure is inconvenient to families and appreciates your patience and cooperation."

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Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

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.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.