Editor’s Note: In addition to today’s updated case count, Town Manager Sarah Stanton has shared information about Gov. Charlie Baker’s directive about the use of face coverings that will go into effect on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Click this link to read the Town’s full update for Friday, May 1, 2020
The daily update is also available in the following places if you’d like to share with your friends:
- Website ~ www.BedfordMA.gov
- Facebook ~ @bedfordma
- Twitter ~ @BedfordMAGov
CURRENT CASES
As of today, May 1, 2020, there have been a total of one hundred and twenty-nine (129) positive cases of COVID-19 in Bedford and twelve (12) deaths reported to the Town of Bedford Board of Health by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH). The total case number includes residents of the Town of Bedford, Hanscom Air Force Base, and the Bedford Veteran’s Administration (VA) Campus as reported to us by the MA DPH.
Twenty-seven (27) of the total Bedford cases have already recovered and have come off of isolation and there are currently zero (0) known Persons Under Investigation. There are other individuals impacted by COVID-19 in the community who 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 Board of Health 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 Veterans 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 Board of Health.
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
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Effective Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Governor Baker issued an Order 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.
Full details are outlined in the May 1, 2020, Executive Order which can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/may-1-2020-masks-and-face-coverings/download
There are many things that you can do to help protect yourself and others from becoming infected with COVID-19. People who show no symptoms of illness may still be able to spread COVID-19.
- A face covering may help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to other people.
- A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves, and bandanas.
- Do not use health care worker masks, such as the N95 masks – those should be preserved for healthcare workers.
It is important that you wear these face coverings or masks in situations where it is difficult to maintain a social distance of six feet from others. For example, in a pharmacy or grocery store.
When you wear a cloth mask, it should:
- 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
For more information: https://www.mass.gov/news/wear-a-mask-in-public
Stay healthy!…(and wash your hands as often as possible.)
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