News Notes: Latest updates on COVID-19

The National Guard delivered critical personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Canton Fire Department on Saturday, April 11. Fire Chief Charles Doody said the town made the request through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and received 200 masks, 100 pairs of protective glasses, and 200 gowns.

Doody said as of Monday there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus within the Fire Department. “Everyone is healthy,” he said, “and we are taking every precaution to keep our firefighters safe, including providing them the proper personal protective equipment to respond to calls for people who are exhibiting symptoms of the virus.”

As of Friday afternoon, Canton had 132 cases of COVID-19. The state of Massachusetts had 34,402 confirmed cases as of Friday, including 3,499 in Norfolk County. There have been 1,404 deaths reported statewide as a result of the virus.

Doody said he expects the numbers will continue to rise. “We are anticipating the apex of the surge to be on or about April 20,” he said. “We encourage Canton residents to stay home and go out only for essential errands, maintain social distance and wear a mask when in public places and wash hands often.”

The town plans to utilize its emergency notification (Reverse 911) system to update residents every Friday on the status of the pandemic. Residents are also encouraged to visit the town’s Coronavirus Information page to view important public health advisories and find the most up-to-date guidance from federal, state and local government agencies. The town has also added a form on its website enabling residents to submit questions to the COVID-19 working group.

The group continues to meet frequently to address the ongoing health crisis. “It is important for all of us to understand that we can carry and spread the coronavirus while showing no symptoms,” Doody said in an April 10 update. “This is one of the reasons why the Centers for Disease Control now recommends that everyone should wear at least a facemask or cloth covering on their face when out in public places. Masks are not a replacement for social distancing and staying home, but they can help to stop the accidental spread of the virus while you do your essential errands like grocery shopping or picking up medication at the pharmacy.”

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Posted by Mike Berger on Apr 17 2020. Filed under News, Police & Fire. Both comments and pings are currently closed.