Press Release from Board of Health

Important Update on the Coronavirus Situation

March 19, 2020

The Raynham Board of Health / Board of Selectmen and Health Agent Matt Tanis report that the Town of Raynham has received notification of a single presumptive positive case of COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus, in Raynham. Although the Commonwealth of Massachusetts publishes presumptive positive cases on a county by county level only, Town officials are providing this information in order to keep the community educated and informed.

The Raynham Health Department was notified of the presumptive positive test result and have been in contact with the resident and Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The resident, who is presumptive positive, and all household members, who are not currently symptomatic, are adhering to DPH orders for isolation and quarantine to limit the risk of spread and will be monitored by Raynham Health officials. In order to protect the resident’s medical privacy rights, no additional information can be disclosed.

The Raynham Board of Health is closely following recommendations from MDPH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mitigate the spread of the virus.

If anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19 including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not report to work or school, limit contact with others, and they are advised to contact their primary care physician.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends that residents continue with good hygiene practices including:

·     Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.

·     Keep your hands away from your face.

·     Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.

·     Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

·     Consider not attending social gatherings and minimizing unnecessary public exposure, particularly if you are over the age of 60, have underlying health conditions, a weakened immune system or are pregnant.

For more information, visit the MDPH website and the CDC’s website.