Coronavirus: Easton Reports 6 New Coronavirus Positive Tests

Easton MA

25 March, 2020

9:59 AM

Description

EASTON, MA — Easton had nine confirmed positive tests for coronavirus as of Tuesday night after an additional six tests were confirmed. Town officials said that the six new cases involve two specific households in the town. Due to the limited availability of widespread testing at this time, Easton officials believe the actual number to be higher, and it is growing. Emergency Management Director Kevin Partridge, Director of Health and Community Services Kristin Kennedy and Town Administrator Connor Read said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health notified them of the positive tests on Tuesday. Town officials said the Department of Health has been in touch with the residents, and that positive-test household members are in isolation, while remaining exposed household family members are in quarantine. Officials said additional contact tracing by health officials is underway with close contacts — anyone who has spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of a positive case — subject to potential ordered quarantine. Town officials request residents see the Dept. of Health and Community Services FAQ for more information about COVID-19. The town also published coronavirus updates on its website at www.easton.ma.us. Public health officials urge that regardless of your age, and no matter if you feel sick or not, you follow social distancing guidance and stay at home away from non-family contacts at this time. Current confirmed case numbers in Massachusetts and the United States are likely to be lower than the actual number of COVID-19 cases due to the limited availability of widespread testing. "It is critical that we work together as the caring community that we are and follow these crucial steps to prevent widespread illness in Easton," Easton officials said. Officials implored residents about how it is vitally important for residents to stop congregating outside, stop group play and team sports at parks, and to take these critical public safety messages seriously. "What you do today will have a dramatic impact on cases we see next week and month," Officials said. "Taking action now is doing our part to slow the spread of the virus, to reduce the number of people infected, and to avoid overwhelming our first responders and our health care system." Don't miss updates about precautions in your area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters Loading…