Merrimac Emergency Management Committee Urges Continued Vigilance as Merrimac Goes Back into “Gray” Status for COVID-19

Town’s Cautious Approach has Netted Positive Results

MERRIMAC — The Merrimac Emergency Management Committee is pleased to share that the town of Merrimac is now designated “Gray,” indicating its rate of positive COVID-19 tests has fallen to the lowest tier in Massachusetts.

Merrimac had drifted into the second highest “Yellow” category last week, but continued vigilance, testing, prevention efforts and social distancing have helped the community immediately drop its positive test rate back down, even as dozens of communities saw increases this week.

There are currently three active cases in Merrimac in three households. 

Governor Charlie Baker’s office, on Wednesday evenings, releases updated town-by-town data and designates cities and towns Red, Yellow, Green or Gray based on their positive COVID-19 testing rate. Red indicates average daily cases greater than 8 per 100,000 persons; Yellow indicates a rate of 4-8 per 100,000; Green is a rate less than four per 100,000 and Gray indicates a rate of fewer than five total cases over the past 14 days.

Merrimac officials are urging residents to continue the public health practices that have helped to reduce the spread of the virus in town all year, including the practice of social distancing, wearing a mask in public and frequent hand washing. 

The Merrimac Emergency Management Committee continues to share the following tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect yourself and others from contracting COVID-19:

• Wash your hands frequently for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water. Hand washing is especially important after visiting a public place, before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, after using the restroom, handling your cloth face covering, after changing a diaper, after caring for someone sick, after touching animals or pets and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be used. 
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• When someone in your household is sick, try to avoid close contact and maintain six feet of distance from that person.
• Maintain six feet of distance from people who don’t live in your household when in public. Keep in mind that those without symptoms, including yourself, may still be spreading the virus. It is especially important to maintain distance from people at a higher risk of getting sick.
• Wearing a mask will protect other people in the event you have COVID-19. Everyone is advised to wear a cloth face covering in public and around those who don’t live in your household, especially when social distancing is difficult.
• Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, or use your elbow.
• Used tissues should be thrown in the trash. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after throwing away a tissue.
• Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks. If a surface is visibly dirty, be sure to clean it using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfecting. 
• Everyone should continue to monitor their health daily, which includes watching for symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, and fever. For additional symptoms that may be indicative of a COVID-19 infection, click here.
  • If you feel ill or are exhibiting symptoms, stay home. 
  • If symptoms develop, take your temperature. Wait to do so until 30 minutes after exercising or taking medications that could lower your temperature. 
  • Click here for additional guidance from the CDC, should symptoms develop.

For additional guidance from the CDC pertaining to day-to-day life including going to work, running errands, travel, attending funerals, caring for children, and stress and coping, click here.

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