Town of Marion Urges Vigilance as Community Returns to High Risk Designation for COVID-19

MARION — Town Administrator James McGrail, Public Health Nurse Lori Desmarais and the Marion Board of Health are urging residents to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 as the community has once again reached a high risk designation for the disease.

According to the public health data released on Thursday, Jan. 7, the Town’s designation has been elevated to “Red,” indicating a “high risk” of spread in the community. The town had moved into the “Yellow,” “medium risk” designation last week, Dec. 31, 2020, following a decrease in its two-week case count.

According to today’s data, the average daily incidence rate for the Town of Marion is 59.0 per 100,000 residents, up from 34.2 last week. There have been 38 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Marion over the past two weeks. There have been a total of 209 cases in Marion since the start of the pandemic.

Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid high risk activities, especially indoor social gatherings, and all Massachusetts residents are under orders from the Governor to wear masks at all times while in public.

Additionally, Governor Charlie Baker announced that temporary capacity and gathering limits put in place on Dec. 26 will be extended to Jan. 24. This includes restaurants, office spaces, retail businesses, places of worship and fitness and health clubs. To view all the full list of restrictions and limits, click here.

“Following the holiday season when a rise in positive cases is expected, we urge everyone to continue to follow the proper protocols to protect themselves and others from COVID-19,” Desmarais said. “We encourage everyone to wear a mask while in any public place, and please be sure to stay home and get tested if you are experiencing any symptoms.”

Additional 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 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 at all times.
• 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 CDC website here and the DPH website here.

Massachusetts’ Stop the Spread testing initiative remains ongoing, and Marion residents are encouraged to get tested regardless of symptoms in order to better know their COVID-19 status. The closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in New Bedford. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here.

Marion residents with questions may additionally contact the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530.

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