Town Of Bedford Publishes Coronavirus Update For August 13

Bedford MA

14 August, 2020

3:21 PM

Description

Press release from the Town of Bedford: August 13, 2020 The Bedford COVID-19 Task Force met Thursday, August 13, 2020 to review the latest guidance from the Department of Public Health, the office of Governor Charlie Baker, and Town Legal Counsel. The COVID-19 Task Force is comprised of the following Town officials: Sarah Stanton, Town Manager Philip Conrad, Superintendent of Schools Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services Robert Bongiorno, Police Chief David Grunes, Fire Chief Taissir Alani, Facilities Director Christopher Laskey, Code Enforcement Director Case Counts As of today, August 13, 2020, there have been a total of two hundred seventy-eight (278) positive cases of COVID-19 reported to the Bedford Board of Health (BOH) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH), of those, one hundred sixty-three (163) are Bedford residents not living in a healthcare/long term care setting. The deaths of forty-five (45) Bedford residents have been attributed to COVID-19. The total case number includes residents of the Town of Bedford, including but not limited to those in: single-family homes, apartments, the VA campus, Hanscom Air Force Base, special needs group homes and other larger assisted living/care facilities in Bedford as reported to us by the MA DPH. As you may be aware, long-term care facilities serving the elderly and congregate care facilities, house susceptible populations with underlying conditions who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. Increased testing occurs at these facilities and results in more positive cases being identified. As such, cities and towns with these facilities, like Bedford, experience elevated positive case counts and, unfortunately, deaths due to the vulnerability to COVID-19 of the populations within those facilities. In the 14-days leading up to August 5, 2020, six hundred seventy (670) Bedford residents had been tested for COVID-19 and eight (8) were determined to be positive. This resulted in a 1.19% positivity rate for that time period. The rate for all of MA during that same time period was 1.82%. During the same period, a month earlier (14-days leading up to July 8th), Bedford's positivity rate was 1.63% and the state rate was 2.25%. Two hundred twenty-nine (229) of the total Bedford cases have already recovered and have come off isolation and there may other Bedford residents who would be considered persons under investigation in that they are symptomatic, have undergone testing but have not yet received results. There are other individuals impacted by COVID-19 in the community that have not sought medical attention, and/or have not been tested and are isolating at home regardless. Those individuals do not appear on the surveillance reports the Town receives from the MA DPH. The BOH continues to do the appropriate follow-up and outreach to those residents and close contacts known to us and the VA is conducting follow-up and contact tracing of the Veteran's under their care. Many of the identified close contacts of some of the Bedford cases never exhibited symptoms, have completed their required quarantine period and have been released from quarantine by the BOH. Please note, in part to alleviate the community concern, the VA does do a daily report of their numbers, which includes inpatients, outpatients and staff, many of whom do not call Bedford home. The information can be found here: https://www.accesstocare.va.gov/Healthcare/COVID19NationalSummary. Enhanced Community-based COVID-19 Data On August 11, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released additional data on community-level spread of COVID-19 in order to target additional resources and implement community- specific strategies to stop the spread of the virus. The data that will now be reported on a community level will include the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, average percent positivity, and total case counts, for all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns over the last two weeks. Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town will be designated a color – white, green, yellow or red. White and green are lower-risk communities, yellow represents a moderate-risk community and red represents a higher-risk community. As of August 12, 2020, Bedford was designated as a "yellow", or moderate risk community. Please note that our current incidence rate includes areas/institutions in Bedford that contribute to our total case count number but could be considered separate from population statistics that the incidence rate metrics use to identify our incidence percentage levels. For example, long-term care facilities serving the elderly, congregate care facilities and military installation cases are being included in the incident rate level statistics, as they have been throughout the pandemic, even though those unique populations are distinct and largely separate from overall Bedford population. The Town of Bedford is actively working to resolve this discrepancy with the Department of Public Health, and to determine the Bedford's most accurate incidence rate. Updates will continue to communicate any changes to the incidence rate calculations. This data will be updated weekly on Wednesdays in the coming weeks. For the current map, please navigate to: https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-august-12-2020/download These color/risk designations are intended to help guide communities on measures to be taken to control or lower their risk based on their designation. Should risk levels elevate in a community, these measures may include pulling back on the current reopening phase, thus limiting activities, determining implementation of other safety protocols, and whether the school reopening model needs to be adjusted per DESE guidelines. COVID-19 Travel Order - Updated As of Saturday, August 1, 2020, all visitors and returning residents entering Massachusetts must follow new travel orders to help us keep COVID-19 transmission levels as low as possible. All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to: Prior to arrival in Massachusetts, complete the online Travel Form (https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-travel-form; and, Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts. If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Exemptions to the Travel Order: Travel from a Lower-risk State. To find the current list of lower-risk states, navigate to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order Transitory travel: This includes people who are passing through Massachusetts and permits travelers to drive through the State or to connect to their airplane, bus or train, or to stop at a highway rest stop, but this exception extends only so long as is reasonably required for the traveler to complete their transit, make any necessary airplane, bus, or train connection, or make use of travel services such as at a highway rest stop. Persons Commuting for Work or School: People who regularly commute, at least weekly, outside of Massachusetts to a fixed place to attend school or work or any person who regularly commutes, at least weekly into Massachusetts to a fixed place to attend school or work; provided that in either case, this exception applies only to and from the person's residence and place of work or school. Workers or students who travel to any place that is not their home state for personal or leisure reasons cannot rely on this exemption. Patients Seeking or Receiving Medical Treatment: Patients who are traveling to Massachusetts to seek or receive specialized medical care from a physician located in the Commonwealth and persons accompanying and providing needed support to the patient. Military Personnel: Any person who is required to travel to Massachusetts at the order or directive of a Federal or State military authority. Workers Providing Critical Infrastructure Services: Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions are exempt from quarantine while they are commuting to or from or while at work. For the first 14-days after arrival, when the worker is not at work or commuting to work they must quarantine. Workers who travel to or from Massachusetts for personal or leisure reasons cannot rely on this exemption. MA DPH has indicated that failure to comply with the order may result in a $500 fine per day. To find more information about the Travel Order, including the list of lower-risk states, exemptions, business guidance and other details, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order Diapers and Personal Items Available for Residents and Families in Need Bedford Youth and Family Services has launched a Diaper and Personal Items Bank to help Bedford families who are in need. Families will be able to receive a 3 week supply of diapers (sizes 1-6), pull-ups (sizes 2-6), baby wipes, and/or feminine hygiene products. These essential supplies are not covered by the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and can be a significant financial burden, especially given the other economic stressors present during the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents of Bedford who need to access the Diaper and Personal Items Bank can acquire these items at the weekly drive-through Food Bank located at the Town Center Building on Thursdays from 4 - 5:30 pm. Additionally, residents can contact Community Social Worker Christopher Bang at 781-918-4328 or [email protected]. Mental Health and Social Service Resources During this time of purposeful separation from loved ones, friends and neighbors to keep each other safe, feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression may set in or perpetuate. Bedford's Social Work services remain available to all Bedford residents and the town Social Workers are available via phone. If you are a resident who is 60 or older please contact Social Worker Danika Castle in the Council on Aging at 781-275-6825. If you are a resident under the age of 60 you can contact Social Worker Christopher Bang in the Youth and Family Services Department at 781-918-4328. Our Social Workers can help with: Ensuring individuals have food security during this time. Residents who are struggling with having an adequate amount of food in their homes can reach out to the Social Workers for assistance getting connected to the Bedford Food Bank, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP/EBT), and other community resources. The Social Workers will work with residents faced with a hardship and unable to travel outside their homes through food bank home delivery. Information accessing financial supports such as SNAP, unemployment, MassHealth, and utility assistance. Transportation to appointments and essential services. General support for coping with anxiety during this time. Residents are able to call and speak with a Social Worker who can provide strategies for managing anxiety. Outreach calls for residents who are experiencing isolation. Residents who are concerned about individuals who are experiencing isolation can contact the Social Workers. Getting residents connected with Health and Mental Health providers. At this time counseling services at the Town Center through Eliot Community Human Services have shifted to a tele-health service and referrals continue to be accepted. Intakes are being conducted over the phone or by Zoom. Please note that Bedford residents do not pay a co-pay for therapy through Eliot and lack of insurance is not a barrier to services. Any Bedford resident seeking mental health counseling or therapy services can contact one of the Social Workers or reach out to Eliot Community Human Services directly at 978-369-1113. Connecting residents to providers through the INTERFACE Referral Service, an outpatient mental health resource and referral Helpline, open Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, and available to Bedford residents and students of Bedford Public Schools. The Helpline can be reached at 888-244-6843 for resource information and/or outpatient mental health provider referrals from a trained resource and referral counselor. For more information about INTERFACE navigate to: https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/bedford. Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is continuing to follow up on domestic violence referrals and requests for service on a daily basis and provides community advocacy and safety planning for anyone who calls in or is referred for help and support by law enforcement partners. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DVSN clients need support more than ever and DVSN shall continue to provide CONFIDENTIAL support, advocacy, and resources via telephone to the extent possible. For help and support, PLEASE CALL DVSN's Help Line - 888-399-6111. Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Service team is always available to offer skilled, compassionate support and connections to resources and services during difficult times. If you are experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis, please call (800) 640-5432 to speak to an Advocates crisis clinician. They are available to help 24 hours a day, every day. Please also visit the Bedford Youth and Family Services website for additional mental health and social service resources: https://www.bedfordma.gov/youth-family. Mask Up MA! Governor Baker issued an Order that went into effect on May 6th requiring face masks or cloth face coverings in public places where social distancing is not possible. This applies to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Exceptions include children under the age of 2 and those unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition. So, when you go out, make sure you wear a mask or face covering. Masks slow the spread of COVID-19. They protect you. They protect everyone around you. And they help Massachusetts move in the right direction. When you wear a cloth mask, it should: Cover your nose and mouth, Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, Be secured with ties or ear loops, Include multiple layers of fabric, Allow for breathing without restriction, and Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. When putting on and taking off a mask, do not touch the front of it, you should only handle the ties or ear straps, and make sure you wash the cloth mask regularly. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after touching the mask. Cloth masks should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. So, Mask Up, Massachusetts! For more information, navigate to: https://www.mass.gov/news/mask-up-ma. Need a COVID-19 test? – Free Testing expanded to September 12th Free COVID-19 testing sites are open in seventeen communities as part of the Baker-Polito Administration's "Stop the Spread" initiative. Testing sites in the following communities are free to all residents of the Commonwealth regardless of symptom state and will now remain open until September 12th to help stop the spread of COVID-19: Agawam, Brockton, Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough, Methuen, New Bedford, Randolph, Revere, Springfield, Taunton, and Worcester. Visit www.mass.gov/stopthespread to find out more. If you need testing closer to home or beyond September 12th, consider navigating to https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13 to find a testing site. Check with your insurance company for covered services prior to booking an appointment for testing. Common Sense Actions to Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Employ Social Distancing Basics: Stay Home, especially if you're feeling sick, have a fever, or a cough as to avoid contact with other individuals. If you are sick, stay at home and contact your healthcare provider for further instructions. Call/Facetime/Online chat with friends and loved ones If you go out for essential needs: Avoid Crowds Stay 6 feet away from others Don't shake hands or hug Wear a face covering or mask if physical distancing is not possible. Always have a face covering with you. You cannot always predict or control when someone will be close to you. This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author's own.