COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update and FAQ
In Massachusetts, effective from March 24, 2020 through April 7, 2020 (unless further extended), Governor Baker has ordered: (the most recent order from the Governor can be found here.)
An emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. These businesses are encouraged to continue operations remotely. Click here for a list of essential businesses.
Due to evolving spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, Governor Baker has directed the Department of Public Health to issue a stay at home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols. Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities during this two-week time period. Residents over 70 years of age or with underlying health conditions, who are considered at high risk when exposed to COVID-19, should limit social interactions with other people as much as possible.
The gathering prohibition was changed from 25 people to 10 people. Gatherings subject to the Order include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, festivals and any similar event or activity that brings together 10 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time in a venue such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theatre, gymnasium, fitness center, private club, or any other confined indoor or outdoor space.
Any restaurant, bar, or establishment that offers food or drink shall not permit on-premises consumption of food or drink; provided that such establishments may continue to offer food for take-out and by delivery provided that they follow the social distancing protocols set forth in Department of Public Health guidance.
All schools are closed until April 6, 2020.
Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 Governor Baker announced the closure of all childcare facilities with exemptions for family of emergency personnel, medical staff and “other critical to fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.”
For local information about what Avon is doing, visit the website at: https://www.avon-ma.gov/home/pages/covid-19-updates
As of March 23rd, there are 777 positive cases for COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Nine (9) deaths have resulted from COVID-19. In Avon, there is one (1) positive case and eight (8) others in quarantine.
If cases are discovered in Avon, the Avon Board of Health is notified through the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiology Network (MAVEN) and the Homeland Health Alert Network (HHAN). These communication tools are used by the MDPH and the Avon Board of Health twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a
week.
Continue to protect ourselves by social distancing and the following:
- Wash your hand often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If unable to wash, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Wash hands before eating.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, without first washing your hands.
- Clean things that are frequently touched (doorknobs, countertops) with household cleaning sprays or wipes.
- Cover your cough or sneeze into a facial tissue. Dispose of used facial tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands. If you do sneeze into your hands, wash them immediately with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If unable to wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Stay home from work, seek health care, and avoid contact with others.
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
- Think ahead about how to take care of yourself and your loved ones if the virus starts spreading in the community. Visit https://www.mass.gov/know-plan-prepare for a preparedness checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19
WHAT IS COVID 19?
COVID-19 is a new respiratory disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This disease has not previously been seen in humans and the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
WHAT IS A CORONAVIRUS?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then can spread between people. Human coronaviruses cause routine season respirator virus infections. Other coronaviruses like SARS and WERS, can cause serious illnesses.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath and severe cases, pneumonia. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Older people (60+), and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. In some cases, COVID-19 can be fatal.
People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention. Call 211 for general COVID-19 information if you are not sick. Call your primary care or medical provider for individualized medical concerns, including telling your doctor about recent travel history, your symptoms, and any potential exposure to COVID-19. If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
HOW DOES COVID 19 SPREAD?
Covid-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads. People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to practice social distancing, including younger or healthy populations without underlying medical conditions, to reduce the risk of spread to older and more vulnerable individuals. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community. Click here to learn more about COVID-19 transmission from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CAN SOMEONE SPREAD THE VIRUS WITHOUT BEING SICK?
People are thought to be the most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Current public health data suggests that COVID-19 may be spread 24-48 hours before you are showing any symptoms. This again reinforces how important it is to observe public health guidelines to protect those most vulnerable even if you are not feeling sick.
HOW ARE COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA VIRUSES DIFFERENT?
Mortality for COVID-19 appears to be higher than that for influenza, especially seasonal influenza. While the true mortality of COVID-19 will take some time to fully understand, the data we have so far indicates that the mortality ratio is between 3-4%. For additional flu information visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. For additional information of the death rate of COVID-19 visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/casesin-us.html.
WHAT IS SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Social distancing means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others. Congregate settings are crowded places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters, stadiums, and places of worship. Recent school closings are meant to promote social distancing.
WHAT IF I THINK I HAVE SYMPTOMS TO COVID-19?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever (100.4 degrees or higher), cough or difficulty breathing. If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19 call your healthcare provider for medical advice and to discuss next steps. It is important to call before you leave your home. Massachusetts 211 is staffed with Community Information Specialists specially trained to answer questions related to COVID-19 in 150 languages, 24 hours per day.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WITH COVID-19?
Current state and local health protocols require that public health officials investigate any and all possible close contacts between the general public and a presumptive positive individual who is in isolation. If that information indicates that someone may have come into close contact with a presumptive positive individual, that close contact individual will be directly notified and contacted by state or local public health officials, and they may be ordered to proactively quarantine themselves even if they do not have symptoms, in order to mitigate the possible spread of COVID-19.
WHAT IS A CLOSE CONTACT?
A close contact is defined by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a person who has had contact with a confirmed case for 15 or more minutes, within a 6 foot space. This includes household contacts and can include friends and co-workers. Casual encounters such as voting, pumping gas, or passing in line are not considered close contacts.
WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS FROM COVID-19?
While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons (60+) and persons with preexisting medical conditions appear to develop serious illness more often than others. Underlying medical conditions that may increase risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age include:
- Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)
- Chronic kidney disease as defined by your doctor. Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because kidney disease, or is under treatment for kidney disease, including receiving dialysis
- Chronic liver disease as defined by your doctor. (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because liver disease or is under treatment for liver disease.
- Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, received an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV or AIDS)
- Current or recent pregnancy in the last two weeks
- Endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
- Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders)
- Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease)
- Lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis or emphysema) or other chronic conditions associated with impaired lung function or that require home oxygen
- Neurological and neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury].
Click here to learn more about High Risk Complications from the CDC.
WHAT ARE ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE?
Isolation and Quarantine are tools used to help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.
WHEN WOULD SOMEONE BE PLACED UNDER QUARANTINE?
Quarantine in general means the separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic, from others who have not been exposed, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease to monitor if they become sick.
WHEN WOULD SOMEONE BE PLACED IN ISOLATION?
Isolation means the separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent spread of the communicable disease. Isolation for public health purposes may be voluntary or compelled by federal, state, or local public health order. Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
WHAT CAN I DO TO DECREASE MY RISK OF GETTING COVID-19?
The CDC has a number of suggestions for protecting you and your family. Click here to review CDC recommendations.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP “FLATTEN THE CURVE” AND REDUCE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?
Whether a presumptive positive case is someone under an isolation order on your street, or just a number on a county-wide database which feels distant and abstract, the actions we all need to take right now are the same: social distancing, avoiding nonessential gatherings, good hygiene, and following the guidance of public health officials. This is also true regardless of the number of cases confirmed in a community or county – the time to take proactive measures is now.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Town of Avon website: https://www.avon-ma.gov/home/pages/covid-19-updates
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: www.mass.gov/covid19
Massachusetts 2-1-1: https://www.211info.org/corona-virus
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
