DEDHAM — The Dedham Board of Health has issued an emergency order requiring all employees of essential businesses, including delivery personnel, to wear cloth face masks while working.
As of today, these individuals must wear cloth face masks as a precaution in situations where employees are interacting with the public and/or where social distancing is hard to maintain in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The cloth face coverings do not have to be surgical masks or N-95 respirators.
Essential businesses are also encouraged to post signs at the front of their stores strongly encouraging customers to wear cloth masks while in their buildings.
Information about how to properly remove and make your own face mask can be found on the CDC’s website here.
“This order was issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of both our essential workers and members of the community,” said BOH Chair Leanne Jasset. “Residents are reminded to stay at home unless absolutely necessary and to practice social distancing should you need to leave your home for any reason. These steps can go a long way towards flattening the curve, especially as the spread of the virus reaches its peak.”
Current Cases
As of Wednesday, April 15, there are 134 confirmed cases of the virus in Dedham.
All individuals are currently in isolation per Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) orders. Close contacts (defined as someone who has spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of a positive case) have been identified, contacted by health officials, and are adhering to DPH orders for quarantine. Those who are quarantined will be monitored by Dedham health officials on a daily basis to limit the risk of spread.
The Dedham Board of Health wishes to express its appreciation to Dedham’s Public Health Nurse and all school nurse volunteers who maintain daily surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19 in the community. The BOH also wishes to express its gratitude to the Health Department staff who, on a daily basis, go above and beyond to assure the safety and well-being of the town residents.
New Dedham COVID-19 Website
Residents are encouraged to use the town’s new website, dedhamcovid19.com. This site serves as a one-stop resource for residents, visitors, and business owners to receive all town updates as the COVID-19 situation develops. Visitors can subscribe via email to receive notifications for new posts and all posts are published on the town’s social media pages.
Locally, residents are always encouraged to contact the Dedham Health Department at 781-751-9220 with any questions or concerns.
For additional information on the COVID-19 virus, visit the DPH’s website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.
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