Coronavirus Update

Today, town officials met to discuss and listen in on a conference call hosted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on the status of the COVID-19 virus, otherwise known as the Coronavirus.

The good news is that the risk in Massachusetts remains low at this time. The message to our citizens is simple, and the same for preventing more common types of communicable diseases such as the flu. We are in the height of flu season and you are far more likely to catch the flu than the Coronavirus. Taking the common steps mentioned below for preventing the flu will dramatically decrease your chances of catching the Coronavirus.

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw it in the trash.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
5. Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
6. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

A few of the questions we have received related to the Coronavirus are:

Q. Are there plans to close schools?
A. No. As mentioned the risk level in Massachusetts is low and at this time both state and local officials see no need for school closures.

Q. Should I be wearing a mask?
A. Unless you are sick, no. Simply wearing a surgical style mask to prevent you from becoming sick is not effective. The surgical mask placed on a person who is sick is intended to prevent the person who is sick from infecting others.

Q. What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?
A. Fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and in severe cases, pneumonia. Remember TRAVEL HISTORY IS IMPORTANT when suspecting Coronavirus.

Q. What do I do if I suspect I have Coronavirus?
A. If you are having symptoms listed above, contact your primary care physician for consultation.

Please keep calm and WASH YOUR HANDS.

There is no need to panic. We want to ensure our citizens that town officials are staying on top of any developing information regarding the Coronavirus. When and if new information becomes available, we will continue to share it via social media and other communication methods.

Additional questions related to the Coronavirus can be directed to the Town of Auburn's Public Health Division at 508-832-7703. If you would like more information on the Coronavirus, visit the following website links below.

https://www.auburnguide.com/180/Health-Alerts

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19