Town of Maynard Designated as “Medium Risk” Community for COVID-19

MAYNARD —Town Administrator Greg Johnson and the Maynard Board of Health report that the Town of Maynard has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in an increased risk designation from the Commonwealth. 

According to the public health data released on Thursday, Nov. 19, the Town’s designation is now “yellow,” indicating a “medium risk” in the community. 

According to yesterday’s data, there have been 28 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Maynard over the past two weeks. Maynard’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 19.2 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 8.9. 

“The actions each and every one of us takes every day make all the difference when it comes to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our community so, please, especially as you prepare for the holidays, consider what you need to do to keep yourself and your community safe,” Town Administrator Johnson said. “Limit your gatherings to small groups, wear your mask in public and practice social distancing. If you can, keep your festivities to your household only or hold a virtual celebration.”

Residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and limit their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traveling increases one’s potential to be exposed to COVID-19 and of potentially spreading it to others. Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. 

For further guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving amid COVID-19 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, click here.

Residents are further reminded that the closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in Framingham and Marlborough. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, free to all Massachusetts residents, click 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 6 feet from others, is critical. 
• Those who must go out are urged to:
  • Avoid gathering in groups
  • Maintain 6 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 all public indoor and outdoor spaces. This does not apply to those 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.

Active, positive case numbers in Maynard are updated daily on weekdays here, and for the latest websites, visit the Town’s website here.

For additionally COVID-19 updates for the Town of Maynard, visit https://maynardtownadmin.org/.

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