The following is a press release from Mayor Thomas McGee’s office LCTV received on March 21, 2020.
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Today, Saturday, March 21, 2020 the Lynn Board of Health was notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the City of Lynn.
The patient is currently in quarantine in their home. Officials within the Lynn Department of Public Health will be actively monitoring the patient and conducting an extensive investigation into who the patient has come into contact with recently. All those people who have been confirmed to have come into direct contact with this patient will be notified by their local Board of Health. They will be instructed to stay at home and the Public Health Department will be in daily communication with them regarding their potential symptoms for fourteen (14) days.
“The City has a plan in place to effectively monitor this rapidly evolving situation of the COVID-19, coronavirus outbreak.” said Mayor Thomas McGee. “Now more than ever, it is vital that everyone within the City of Lynn follow the recommendations of the CDC and DPH to do the appropriate things to address this ongoing crisis including practicing social distancing and not gathering together in groups. We urge people to please follow these guidelines. I want residents to understand that moving forward, under any circumstances, supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will continue to be open, as they are essential services. If you do need to leave your home to visit any of these establishments, you should not bring your family with you. We must work together to prevent the spread of this virus in order to reduce the impact to our community.”
COVID-19 coronavirus is a respiratory illness with mild to severe symptoms. It is important to note that a majority of patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 have been able to recover on their own. The most common symptoms associated with COVID-19 include: fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you do exhibit symptoms, please first call your doctor and limit contact with other people.
“When I was informed by DPH of the confirmed case, my team acted immediately to investigate the case. We have been prepared to address this issue for several weeks and will continue to work to do everything we can to ensure the safety of all Lynn residents.” said Michele Desmarais, Public Health Director.
According to the CDC, coronavirus is spread mainly through person-to-person contact. It’s believed that people who are in close contact (within 6 feet of one another) are most likely to spread it. It spreads through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of anyone nearby and may be inhaled into the lungs, which can spread the disease.
While people of all ages can be infected with the virus, people who are considered to be at high risk of the coronavirus include older adults and those with serious, chronic medical conditions
such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease. Residents who fit these criteria should take everyday precautions to keep space between themselves and others, limit close contact with those who are sick, and to avoid crowds, cruise travel and non-essential air travel as much as possible.
The CDC and DPH recommend to take the following everyday precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue and dispose of any used materials.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you are sick and call your doctor.
These are the recommended steps from the CDC if must you self-quarantine:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue and dispose of any used materials.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you are sick and call your doctor.
- Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
- Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for this 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
- Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.
- Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
- Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).
We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 on the City website, social media, and through the Smart 911 emergency notification system as the situation evolves. We encourage all residents to visit the City of Lynn Health Department “Coronavirus Resources” page which includes information and links from the CDC, and to sign up for the Smart 911 updates at www.smart911.com.
As we work to mitigate this current public health emergency, we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this time.
Please follow www.lynnma.gov for more updates.
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