Concord Police and Fire Department Suspends Public Access to Buildings Due to COVID-19

CONCORD — Police Chief Joseph O’Connor and Fire Chief Thomas Judge wish to provide residents with updated information on COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, as federal and state officials continue to monitor the virus internationally.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Concord Fire and Police Departments are limiting public access to their facilities until further notice in an effort to reduce the risk of a potential infectious exposure of someone who might be sick.

Until further notice, non-emergency calls will be handled over the phone or through a speaker set up in the front vestibule for both Departments.

If you have a business question please call 978-318-3400.

As always, please call 911 for any emergency. Both Departments will continue to respond as normal.

Anyone who calls either the Fire or Police Department Dispatch Centers and is experiencing any flu-like symptoms should notify the dispatcher on the phone. Dispatchers have been instructed to ask questions of callers.

The medication and sharp drop-off program has been suspended until further notice.

There are currently 164 confirmed or presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, March 10. 

There are no presumed or confirmed cases of the virus in Concord.

The novel coronavirus has sparked an outbreak of respiratory disease with symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure including fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and information indicates that most COVID-19 illness is mild. If someone is displaying symptoms, they should not come to work or school and they are advised to contact their primary care physician.

The COVID-19 situation is very fluid, and new information and guidelines are being posted by the CDC on a regular basis. The CDC offers the following guidance for how COVID-19 spreads. 

In an effort to prevent the spread of flu, colds and other respiratory illnesses, residents should follow the recommended actions from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH):

• For a minimum of 20 seconds, wash your hands frequently with soap and hot water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with those who are sick
• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands. 
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
• When you have a fever or are ill, stay home from work or school

For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.

Information can also be found on the town’s website by clicking here.

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