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The information below came from the Centers for Disease Control
“Recently, a new coronavirus—2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus—was detected in Wuhan, China. This novel coronavirus causes a respiratory (lung) infection.
This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. As of March 2, there has been one confirmed case of this novel coronavirus, and one presumptive case announced in Massachusetts. As of March 2nd, there were 43 Confirmed cases in the United States according to the CDC website.
The risk to residents in Massachusetts remains low.
While person-to-person spread among close contacts has been detected with this virus, at this time this virus is NOT currently spreading in the community in the United States.
Although the risk to residents of Massachusetts is low, many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses:
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes and face.
- Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Stay home when feeling sick.
- Get a flu shot.
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this novel coronavirus infection. For more information, you can go to www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus . Also you can get fact sheets here . https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/share-facts-stop-fear.html
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is working closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more and will provide updated information on this website as it becomes available as well as guidance for the public. The Westford Health Department is monitoring this situation very carefully and will make sure that the most up to date information will be available to residents. You may go to https://www.mass.gov/guides/information-on-the-outbreak-of-2019-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov#-overview- for the most up to date information or contact the Health Department at 978-692-5509.
GUIDANCE ON MASKS:
The health risk to Massachusetts residents remains low and at this time we are not recommending that people wear masks when they are in public. Masks can be useful in some settings, such as a clinic waiting room, to prevent someone who has a respiratory illness from spreading it to others. There is no hard evidence that wearing a mask protects the wearer outside of the healthcare setting.”
Source: Centers for Disease Control
