Town of Winthrop PSAs Seek to Help Residents Do Their Part to Stop the Spread of COVID-19

WINTHROP — The Town of Winthrop is today releasing public service announcements in three languages meant to keep residents informed about the danger of COVID-19 and the role they need to play in curtailing the spread of the virus locally. 

Watch the video in English here

Watch the video in Spanish here

Watch the video in Portuguese here

The PSAs are available in English, Spanish and Portuguese and emphasize the importance of testing, which residents can access free of charge in town, as well as what to do in the event they or a member of their household is diagnosed with COVID-19. 

All community members are urged to take part in the free COVID-19 testing available at the McKenna Basketball Courts, 5 Walden St. 

Testing is available at this site on the following days and times: 

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2-7 p.m. (drive-through)
• Tuesday and Thursday from 2-7 p.m. (walk-up)

Testing providers are able to provide information in English and Spanish.

A map of additional testing locations available in the state can be found here.

The PSAs also remind residents of the importance of participating in the contact tracing process, which is an essential element of the fight against COVID-19. Those who are contacted by state or local contact tracers and ordered to quarantine must do so, as asymptomatic individuals continue to silently spread the virus. 

According to the public health data released on Thursday, Oct. 29, the town’s designation remains “Red,” indicating a “high risk” in the community. Residents are urged to increasingly and aggressively practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household. 

The state reports that here have been 96 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Winthrop over the past two weeks. Winthrop’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 36.4 per 100,000 residents. Anything above eight per 100,000 nets a high risk designation. Winthrop’s incidence rate is the fourth highest in Massachusetts. 

Winthrop town officials have learned of multiple clusters which have led to a dramatic increase in the town’s incidence rate and overall cases. More information about the clusters can be found 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 six feet from others, is critical. 
• Those who must go out are urged to:
  • Avoid gathering in groups
  • Maintain six 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 indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and 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.

Winthrop residents are reminded to visit WinthropCOVID19.com, which serves as a dedicated town resource for information on the pandemic.

Those with questions about the COVID-19 situation in town are encouraged to call the COVID-19 information line at 617-539-5848 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email COVID19info@town.winthrop.ma.us. 

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