IPSWICH — Town Manager Tony Marino and Director of Public Health Colleen Fermon report that the Town of Ipswich has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in an increased risk designation from the Commonwealth.
According to the public health data released on Thursday, Nov. 19, the Town’s designation is now “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” in the community.
According to yesterday’s data, there have been 33 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Ipswich over the past two weeks. Ipswich’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 17.6 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of eight.
“It’s incumbent on each and every one of us to stick to the COVID-19 precautions outlined by state and federal health officials, especially leading into the holiday season,” Fermon said. “Wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing, limiting your interactions with those outside your household and washing your hands and high-touch surfaces regularly can make all the difference, and will help keep you, your family, friends and community safer from this virus.”
“As we’re seeing positive case numbers rise, we’re urging everyone to take precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Town Manager Marino said. “Please, avoid large gatherings, including large Thanksgiving dinners with relatives you don’t already live with. By having a smaller celebration this year, you help protect your loved ones and your community from this virus.”
Residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traveling increases one’s potential to be exposed to COVID-19 and of potentially spreading it to others. Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
For more guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving amid COVID-19 from the Town of Ipswich, click here.
Residents are further reminded that the closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in Salem. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, free for all Massachusetts residents, click here.
COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:
- Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others, is critical.
- Those who must go out are urged to:
- Avoid gathering in groups
- Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
- Do not shake hands or hug
- Wash your hands often
- Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
- Wear a mask in all public spaces. This does not apply to those with underlying health conditions.
- Face coverings should:
- Cover the nose and mouth
- Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
- Be secured with either ties or ear loops
- Permit breathing without difficulty
- Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.
For the latest COVID-19 updates for the Town of Maynard, visit https://ipswichcovid19.com/.
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