First Positive COVID-19 Case March 23, 2020 and COVID-19 Update

NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:

The Town of Scituate was informed this morning of its first positive case of COVID-19. Due to privacy requirements, the demographics of this case will remain confidential. The patient is in quarantine and asymptomatic at this time. The close contacts of the positive case have been notified and are following CDC guidelines for self-quarantine.

With increased testing capabilities and community spread of COVID-19, having a positive case in Town was inevitable. This is a crucial time in infection control. Maintaining social distancing, limiting exposure to others, avoiding crowded places and vigilant handwashing are vital steps in slowing the spread of this disease.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other Federal agencies and our local Board of Health to share the most up to date information available. The DPH website is updated constantly with the latest guidance, including printable fact sheets in multiple languages at www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Information about coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19 can be found at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website, by calling 2-1-1 or visiting https://mass211.org/ where citizens are able to live chat with a person. For specific questions, call the DPH Epidemiology Line at 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 617-983-6800.

The CDC website is https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

We will continue to share information to ensure you are updated as broadly and quickly as possible.

Please continue social distancing and personal hygiene efforts.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Boudreau, Town Administrator                           Drew Scheele, Health Agent