Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance

"Sharing an informational flyer on upcoming holiday health and safety guidance. "

 

Visit https://t.co/JrbsE0KEX6 for more information. 

 

Shared via https://t.co/i1d2aKF3y4

Town of Franklin, MA: holiday health and safety guidance

In the News: "1,761 new COVID-19 cases confirmed"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,761 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 160,698.

An estimated 18,279 cases are active across the state, the daily report shows.

State health officials also confirmed 23 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,859."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201105/1761-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-mass-23-additional-deaths?rssfeed=true

 

Community Level data map  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting 

COVID-19 Community-Level Data Map - 11/04/20

In the News: 1,629 new COVID-19 cases

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The state Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,629 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 158,937.

State health officials also confirmed 27 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,836.

As of Wednesday, 502 patients confirmed of having the coronavirus were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 109 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.

On Monday, the DPH posted a revised daily dashboard. Key new data points include “case growth by age group” and average turnaround time for COVID-19 test results that are reported to state health officials."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201104/1629-new-covid-19-cases-confirmed-in-mass-27-additional-deaths?rssfeed=true

The new COVID-19 dashboard can be found online https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-4-2020/download

“The holidays need to look and feel very different this year”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:  

"Holidays will need to look different this year, state officials said as they recommended Thanksgiving celebrations be held virtually or limited to one household to minimize COVID-19 transmission risks.

“The science on this one’s pretty clear — gathering in groups indoors for an extended period of time with family and friends is likely the worst possible scenario for spreading the virus,” Gov. Charlie Baker said during a recent press conference.

Pointing to rising COVID-19 case numbers among Massachusetts residents under age 30, Baker again said people should stop hosting parties and other large social gatherings. He urged younger people, who may not experience severe symptoms of the respiratory disease, to think about the relatives they might infect, the health care workers gearing up for a second surge, and the children whose ability to attend in-person school hinges on the rate of virus spread.

Baker said his own Thanksgiving celebration this year will be “immediate family, and that’s it,” and said all families should “think long and hard about the well-being of your loved ones before you make your plans.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201101/baker-limited-turkey-day-is-way-to-go?rssfeed=true

The DPH guidance for Thanksgiving and the holidays

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/thanksgiving-during-covid-19.html

Thanksgiving during COVID-19

Thanksgiving during COVID-19

"Mass DPH has released the following guidance for the upcoming holiday. 

Read the details here https://t.co/D1kipWiVud @massdph "

 

Shared from Twitter: https://t.co/O8znIm40io

Thanksgiving during COVID-19

"added 54 communities to the red this week"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"More than one-third of the cities and towns in Massachusetts now stand in the Department of Public Health’s highest risk designation for COVID-19, while the statewide incidence rate increased again in the latest weekly report.

The state’s color-coded system counts 121 municipalities in the red, representing an average daily incidence rate of 8 cases per 100,000 or higher over the past 14 days, in Thursday’s update.

Locally, Bellingham, Dover, Mendon, Northborough, Southborough and Westborough have been added to the list.

Milford is among communities required to revert to the first step of Phase 3 in the reopening plan, starting Monday."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201029/bellingham-mendon-boroughs-added-to-coronavirus-red-zone-milford-must-take-step-back?rssfeed=true

 

The interactive version of this state map can be found

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting

 

"added 54 communities to the red this week"

 

 

In the News: "1,137 additional COVID-19 cases"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported an additional 1,137 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 150,498.

The daily positivity rate — the rate of new cases diagnosed among those newly tested — is 6.10%.

State health officials also confirmed 36 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,700."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201028/mass-dph-reports-1137-additional-covid-19-cases-36-new-deaths?rssfeed=true

 

Community level data map for 10/22/20  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/community-level-covid-19-data-reporting

 

 

last week's map, what will the update show later today?

In the News: "the statewide rate of average daily cases is also in the red"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported an additional 550 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the statewide total to 139,903.

There were 12,395 new molecular tests conducted, with an approximately 4.44% daily positive rate. This marks the second straight day the daily positivity rate is above 4%.

State health officials also confirmed 21 new COVID-19-related deaths across Massachusetts, bringing the state’s confirmed coronavirus death toll to 9,503."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201017/mass-dph-reports-550-new-covid-19-cases-on-saturday-21-deaths?rssfeed=true

 

MA.gov dashboard https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-october-17-2020/download

 

In the News: "the statewide rate of average daily cases is also in the red"

Weekly Community report

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-october-14-2020/download

 

And yes, in a small way, Franklin is contributing to these numbers...

 

Franklin is contributing to these numbers

 

FM #355 - Town of Franklin Health Director Cathleen Liberty - 9/29/20 (audio)

FM #355 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 355 in the series.

This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Franklin’s Health Director Cathleen Liberty. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We covered the following topics in our conversation

• COVID-19 recap
• It’s here, it will be, follow the protocols: facial coverings/masks, social distance, hand hygiene, etc.
• Halloween
• MA DPH and CDC guidance out
• Flu shots
• Important esp now
• Clinic at Senior Center (slots full already) maybe a second one stay tuned...
• EEE
• Low risk so far here

The conversation runs about 35 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Cathleen.  Audio file = https://www.hipcast.com/podcast/HN21x5GK



--------------
Town of Franklin Health Dept page https://www.franklinma.gov/health-department
If you have a question, you can call the Health Dept at (508) 520-4905

The audio of the Health Dept presentation to the Town Council
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-350-town-council-mtg-91620-audio.html

The Town Council video of the Health Dept presentation (not yet released for replay but when it is you can find it here)  https://franklintv.vod.castus.tv/vod/?nav=playlists%2Fplaylists%2FTown%20Council.m3u8

Prior recordings
We did record two session back in March 2020, early in the pandemic stages
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-232-franklin-ma-health-director.html
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/03/fm-224-health-director-cathleen-liberty.html

We also did a recording jointly with Board of Health Chair Bridget Sweet
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-259-board-of-health-c-liberty-b.html

We also did one in May where we talked about questing and insect borne diseases
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-271-franklin-health-director.html


--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
 
How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
 
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters" 

Town of Franklin Health Director Cathleen Liberty

In the News: studies show children can spread COVID-19, small gatherings are also sources

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:   

"Children who caught the coronavirus at day cares and a day camp spread it to their relatives, according to a new report that underscores that kids can bring the germ home and infect others.

Scientists already know children can spread the virus. But the study published Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “definitively indicates — in a way that previous studies have struggled to do — the potential for transmission to family members,” said William Hanage, a Harvard University infectious diseases researcher.

The findings don’t mean that schools and child-care programs need to close, but it does confirm that the virus can spread within those places and then be brought home by kids. So, masks, disinfection and social distancing are needed. And people who work in such facilities have to be careful and get tested if they think they may be infected, experts said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20200911/study-kids-infected-at-day-care-spread-coronavirus-at-home/1?rssfeed=true

"Relatively small social gatherings continue to drive infections in Framingham, according to Wong.

Over and over, residents who have tested positive tell Framingham’s contact tracing team they recently got together with friends or family.

“We have not seen any one single gathering or a couple large gatherings that generated multiple cases,” Wong said. “That’s not happening at this point. But that is also telling us that there’s a lot of smaller gatherings going on.”

Over the past few weeks, younger residents have accounted for most new COVID-19 infections in Framingham. The median age of those newly diagnosed with the coronavirus between Aug. 23 and Sept. 5 was 40, according to the Framingham Health Department’s weekly data release."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200912/in-framinghams-third-week-of-high-risk-designation-community-transmission-of-covid-19-is-on-rise?rssfeed=true

"the lab is now working with state health officials to correct problems"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:  

"A Boston consumer genetics company that has batted away former employees’ accusations of shoddy practices since at least 2019 is now under investigation by the state Department of Public Health for logging hundreds of false positive coronavirus test results.

The company, Orig3n, has halted COVID-19 testing in the state. A company spokesman said the false positives were due to “human error” in processing the tests.

In August, after learning about the Massachusetts investigation, North Carolina issued a stop order for its coronavirus testing contract with Orig3n.

The consumer genetics startup, which claims it can tell customers what kind of foods they should eat and whether they’re predisposed to intelligence based on their DNA, has secured some of the biggest coronavirus testing contracts in the country."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200904/sudden-spike-in-mass-covid-19-cases-was-jarring-now-company-that-did-tests-is-under-investigation?rssfeed=true

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"Students across all levels of schooling in Massachusetts will now be required to receive flu vaccines, a new mandate that state public health officials described as a step to reduce the impact of flu-related and respiratory illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The immunizations will be required from the age of 6 months on for attendees of Massachusetts child care programs, pre-schools, K-12 schools, and colleges and universities, the Department of Public Health announced Wednesday.

Students will need to get their flu vaccines by Dec. 31 for the 2020-21 flu season, unless they have a medical or religious exemption.

Home-schooled K-12 students and college students “who are completely off-campus and engaged in remote learning only” will also be exempt, DPH said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200819/flu-shot-to-be-required-for-students?rssfeed=true

Mass. Public Health (@MassDPH) tweeted at 6:01 PM on Wed, Aug 19, 2020:

A flu shot is now required for all children  6 months and older who attend Massachusetts child care, pre-school, K-12, and colleges and universities. Learn more: https://t.co/VGTRYv0qHC https://t.co/mWCjsZhv94

Franklin radar picked up
(https://twitter.com/MassDPH/status/1296205702625730562?s=03)

MA DPH requirements

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

In the News: "Flu shot to be required for students"

In the News: "second human case of Eastern equine encephalitis"

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"The state Department of Public Health is reporting the year’s second human case of Eastern equine encephalitis.

State health officials said a woman in her 60s was exposed to the EEE virus in Hampden County.

As a result, the EEE risk level in Wilbraham has been raised to “critical,” while the risk levels in Hampden and Monson have been raised to “high.” All three communities are in Hampden County.

In addition, the risk level in the Hampden County communities of Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Ludlow, Palmer and Springfield has been raised to “moderate.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200815/state-reports-second-human-case-of-eee?rssfeed=true

Listen to my conversation with Franklin Health Director Cathleen Liberty on mosquito and tick borne diseases  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fm-271-franklin-health-director.html

For more about EEE in MA, check out the MA.gov page  https://www.mass.gov/guides/eee-in-massachusetts  and the risk map copied below  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update#eee-risk-map-

EEE risk map

"disproportionate number of false positive results being reported from that lab"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:  (so separate from the fact that some tests can result in false positive results, this story reminds us all that the handling process to get the results is also very important. The quality control of this particular  lab is in question and we'll need the fulls set of retests to confirm what the real problem is.)

"Late Friday afternoon, the Department of Public Health disclosed that a commercial lab, which state officials did not identify, is under investigation and has voluntarily suspended all testing after state officials detected 130 false positives test results were reported.

The errors mean Fall River is being re-categorized from the red to yellow, moderate-risk category and Taunton is shifting from yellow to green.

DPH officials say the reporting issue occurred from July 30 to Aug. 1 and “resulted in a disproportionate number of false positive results being reported from that lab during that time.”

“The lab ceased testing when the issue was identified and is under investigation,” DPH spokeswoman Katheleen Conti said in a statement. “Test results conducted by the lab during this time are being verified by an independent lab, and based on results received to date, the Department has accordingly released updated case numbers and risk levels for the August 12 weekly public health report for Fall River and Taunton.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)   https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20200815/fall-river-taunton-risk-assessments-changed-after-false-positives?rssfeed=true

COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory Group Recommendations

DPH Commissioner Monica Bharel convened the COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory Group to advise DPH on the needs of communities and populations disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Read the group’s recommendations: http://ow.ly/A61U50Adk8k #covid19MA

For more info on the Health Equity Advisory Group
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/covid-19-health-equity-advisory-group

Health Equity Advisory Group Recommendations 06-19-2020 from Franklin Matters

Dept of Public Health: Learn more about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) (video)

"Learn more about Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and the simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from the threat of this mosquito-borne illness this summer."

Video link = https://youtu.be/jSE0TBY-CtU




Shared from = https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1271159473361555457?s=09

Senate Passes Legislation to Collect Vital Public Health Data, Establish a COVID-19 Diversity Task Force

The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed bipartisan legislation to promote equity and transparency as the Commonwealth continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill, An Act Addressing COVID-19 Data Collection and Disparities in Treatment, will increase the amount of statewide, publicly available data as it relates to the coronavirus. The legislation also establishes a task force to study and make policy recommendations to address health disparities for underserved and underrepresented communities during the pandemic. The bill advanced to the governor.

“This strong, comprehensive bill will help us begin to address the disparate impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare, especially among our communities of color and other vulnerable populations,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud of the thoughtful and collaborative work my Senate colleagues, as well as the Senate Working Group, did to advance this urgent piece of legislation. I look forward to it becoming law.”

“Thanks to the leadership of Senate President Spilka, the bill we passed today is a true reflection of the Senate’s teamwork,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D- Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Owing to the collaborative spirit and input of Senators Brownsberger, Comerford, Chang-Diaz, Cyr, and Jehlen, this critical legislation increases transparency and ensures we have access to the important data necessary to effectively and precisely fight this pandemic.”

“This legislation has two major wins: data transparency and government accountability,” said Senator Jo Comerford, co-chair of the Committee on Public Health and Chair of the Senate COVID-19 Working Group (D-Northampton). “Public access to comprehensive data is foundational to a strong democracy and a healthy government is one that commits publicly to address any disparities and inequities found in the data. Thank you to the advocates who organized effectively around this legislation. And thank you to the Senate President, Chair Rodrigues, and colleagues for their tenacious efforts and commitment to propelling this bill across the finish line.”

“Communities of color are more vulnerable to disease because of long-term, structural barriers to care and treatment,” said Assistant Majority Whip Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “COVID-19 has disproportionately sickened and killed underserved and underrepresented populations in Massachusetts, and the Commonwealth is obligated to respond and care for communities where the need is greatest. Collecting actionable demographic data is critical to inform policies and interventions for the duration of the pandemic. This legislation is a step towards making right the gaping equities that COVID-19 has laid bare.”

“This pandemic has been particularly devastating for Black, brown, and immigrant communities across the state, and this bill is a vital step towards helping us craft an equitable recovery,” said Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz (D-Boston), a member of the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus. The bill's data requirements are rigorous, comprehensive, and time-sensitive and — so importantly — it takes the next steps beyond data and requires the development of action steps to address COVID-19 disparities. Many thanks to Senate President Spilka, Senator Rodrigues, and Senator Comerford for ushering through such a strong bill, to the Black & Latino Caucus, and to so many in the healthcare and social services communities--in particular, the Massachusetts Public Health Association--for their dedicated and thoughtful advocacy throughout this process.”

“Overcoming the challenges of gaps in treatment and access to health care has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “By working together, the House and Senate have responded with a comprehensive bill, with bipartisan support, that will help close those gaps while informing our future decisions to prevent inequalities from happening in the first place.”

Under the bill, the Department of Public Health (DPH) is required to compile, collect and issue daily online reports on the number of people tested for COVID-19, positive cases, hospitalizations and deaths along with the gender, race, ethnicity, primary residence, occupation, disability, age and primary language of each case.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of cases statewide, the legislation also requires that daily reports include data and demographic information from municipalities and counties with more than 25 positive cases, elder care facilities, as well as state and county correctional facilities. Facility-specific information will be made publicly available while maintaining individual privacy. In addition to requiring greater data collection, the bill requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to describe the actions it is taking to address disparities identified through the data collected.

In response to increasing concerns about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and disproportionately impacted populations, the legislation also establishes a task force to study and make policy recommendations for how to address these health disparities. The task force is required to issue an interim report by June 30, 2020, with a final report due August 1, 2020.

The bill, which is the latest action by the Senate to address the COVID-19 public health crisis and its effects on Massachusetts, now advances to the governor’s desk.

MassDPH video on how to cover your face (video)

"Social distancing and staying at home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But if you must go out, be sure to cover your face. Here's how. For more information, visit mass.gov/COVID-19."

Video link = https://youtu.be/HtUJPizQVPI




Shared from Twitter
https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1257276203985186817?s=09

Watch "A Message From Hospitals: Don't Avoid Emergency Care" on YouTube

"At the COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, April 23, 2020, Governor Baker joined leaders from the Commonwealth's health care community to make clear that thanks to the shared work to prepare and build capacity, Massachusetts' hospitals are handling the uptick in COVID-19 cases, and are still able to care for patients with other medical conditions."

YouTube Link = https://youtu.be/IWITRRS0WZ4

WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown

Via NPR from the World Health Organization

"One of the main things we’ve learned is that the faster all cases are found, tested and isolated, the harder we make it for this virus to spread. This principle will save lives and mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic."

Read the full doc here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CJCBEbSSej4Va2Yh_0n4RElSBNq10eEI/view?usp=sharing


The strategy documents from the CDC and the White House were released last week and can be found here:

• CDC "Work for America" plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KFiHXRQvTXCScL9J450JIfkdqbEYXGwg/view?usp=sharing
• White House "Opening Up America Again" Plan https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jt_nLvQAfmMVh2_X0mU5ASQYn40iWcLG/view?usp=sharing

Article at NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/04/15/834021103/who-sets-6-conditions-for-ending-a-coronavirus-lockdown

WHO Sets 6 Conditions For Ending A Coronavirus Lockdown