Coronavirus In MA: Woburn Announces Cancellations To Slow Spread

WOBURN, MA — Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin announced a number of closures and other actions Friday as part of efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Joining the school district, the Woburn Senior Center, the Girls and Boys Club, the O'Brien Ice Rink, and winter recreation programs are all canceled through at least March 27. City Hall and the Library will remain open, but Library programs are suspended and residents are encouraged to avoid City Hall if possible.

"At this writing, the City does not have any presumptive or confirmed cases of COVID-19," Galvin said. "This is a rapidly changing environment, however, and we do expect to eventually experience positive cases in Woburn."

"We ask and strongly recommend everyone practices social distancing when out in public. This means staying at least 6 feet from other people; not shaking hands, or making bodily contact; and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid large public events and gatherings, as well," the mayor asked.

The full list of cancellations is available here.

Many city services, including bill pay, can be done online or by phone, and residents are encouraged to avoid visiting. Bill pay is available here.

While the Senior Center will be closed, certain services will remain available.

" Meals on Wheels will continue to be delivered. Council on Aging staff will be available via telephone to provide assistance with any questions or concerns, at 781-897-5960," according to the announcement. "In addition, Council on Aging staff will be available to help with non-perishable food items, as available, or transportation to a local market."

Spring 2020 registration at the recreation center is also suspended.

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The full announcement is available here.

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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