TOWN — Town Administrator Gregory S. Enos and Health Agent Kathleen Waldron report that the Town of Avon has seen a rise in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in an increased risk designation from the Commonwealth.
At this time, the town is designated as a “red” high risk community by the Commonwealth, after initially being downgraded back to a “gray” low risk community last week. Residents are reminded to continue being vigilant in practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings in public and limiting their interactions with anyone who lives outside of their household.
According to data shared by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health today, there have been seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, and a 2.61% test positivity rate over that time period. Avon’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, is currently 11.4 per 100,000 residents. Anything above eight per 100,000 nets a high risk designation.
Massachusetts’ Stop the Spread testing initiative remains ongoing, and Avon 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 Brockton. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here.
“In a community like ours, it doesn’t take many cases to increase our risk level, as we have once again been designated as a high risk town after seven confirmed cases over two weeks,” Enos said. “It’s important to continue to take all of the preventive steps we can to mitigate our risk and protect ourselves, our family members and our community as a whole.”
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.
Any resident with questions or concerns is asked to contact the Avon Board of Health at 508-588-0414 ext. 1016, or email kwaldron@avon-ma.gov.
