As the world grapples with the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by a new coronavirus, towns and cities across Massachusetts are beginning to plan for the possible spread of the disease in their areas. The risk in Massachusetts remains low with only two travel-related cases as of March 4, but the state is taking steps to deal with a possible outbreak and to keep the disease from spreading. Local preparedness plans will be spearheaded by local health agencies, and here in Harvard, that’s the Board of Health.
Chair Tom Philippou told the Press the board will discuss what steps the town should take to address the threat of coronavirus at its next regularly scheduled meeting March 10. The meeting has been expanded to include other town officials. A public information forum will be held March 12 at 7 p.m. in upper Town Hall.
Meanwhile, steps are being taken by the schools (see “Schools make plans to cope with virus” ) and the Council on Aging (COA) to protect their populations. Town Administrator Tim Bragan told the Press that precautions are being taken at Town Hall, but he is waiting for guidance from the Board of Health before instituting any townwide measures. He added that the town website will direct people to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for daily updates on the disease.
On March 3 Philippou addressed a group of about 20 seniors at a Hildreth House luncheon and explained what COVID-19 is, what the symptoms are, and what preventive measures the CDC is recommending. (See “Coronavirus in a nutshell”.) He also distributed a fact sheet but cautioned that information is changing rapidly. He said the CDC is currently holding teleconference calls with health agencies three times a week to provide updates on COVID-19.
COA Director Debbie Thompson told the Press her staff is disinfecting the senior center and the vans more often, but she is waiting for guidance from the Board of Health on how van drivers and Harvard Help volunteers should protect themselves and their passengers, especially seniors showing symptoms of the virus.
Ambulance crew is ready
Harvard Ambulance Service Co-Director Jason Cotting told the Press that EMTs receive policy and procedure updates on COVID-19, but no specific training is necessary since they already use masks, gowns, and eye protection when responding to a call from any patient with flu-like symptoms. As for face mask supply, Cotting said, “We have tons of N95 masks,” the type of mask the CDC recommends for health care workers.
Cotting said ambulance workers always notify hospitals of their passenger’s chief complaint, and he added that if EMTs can ascertain whether the patient has recently traveled outside the country, they would relay that information to the hospital as well. As for staff levels, Cotting said, “We have a fairly large group in proportion to the population of the town, and we have good mutual aid coverage through surrounding towns. I don’t anticipate a situation where we couldn’t get an ambulance to patients if they needed one.”
Emerson Hospital updated its website on March 4 with the following information: “All patients entering Emerson Hospital, our emergency department, and off-site locations are being screened regarding their recent travel history and cared for accordingly. Patients who have traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy in the past 14 days and/or those who have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough or shortness of breath are instructed to inform staff and are provided with a mask to wear upon entering our facilities.” Nashoba Valley Medical Center is following that protocol as well, and both hospitals ask that patients who fit into that category let the emergency room know they are coming.
State response
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker held a press conference March 4, where Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Commissioner Monica Bharel said the state now requires any travelers returning from China, Japan, Iran, Italy, or South Korea to self-quarantine for 14 days. She said travelers would be notified on their flight home, and local boards of health would contact them daily for a temperature reading.
Bharel said all tests are currently being done at MDPH laboratories, and if a test is positive, it is sent to the CDC for confirmation. Until it is confirmed, the patient is presumed to have COVID-19, and must self-quarantine. Bharel said the state has an adequate supply of test kits and is expecting more to arrive in the next few days.
She also cautioned that people who are not showing symptoms should not purchase face masks because those masks are critical for health care workers. She said the state is working to make sure there will be an adequate supply for health care systems, and all requests will go through MDPH.
During that press conference, a spokeswoman for Logan Airport said that cleaning in terminals has been stepped up, hand sanitizer stations have been added, and information on virus prevention is being displayed on electronic and physical signs. An MBTA spokesman said stations and trains also have signage, and the MBTA is working on getting hand sanitizer. Trains and buses are being disinfected every four hours, as is anything in the station that people might touch, such as handrails or fare machines.
Baker also announced that the state is advising all schools, including colleges and universities, to cancel organized group trips abroad.
For more information, go to the CDC website at cdc.gov/coronavirus.
