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Coronavirus Update
The Public Health Nurse is continuing to monitor the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the community, if you have a question concerning this matter please reach out to Christine West at cwest@town.billerica.ma.us or telephone at 978-671-0932. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 please contact your primary care physician or visit an urgent care facility to get medical help.
Important Links and Updates
| Water, Sewer, and Property Tax Bill due dates has been moved to June 29th. | Emergency Orders |
10/21
As of this afternoon the Town of Billerica’s internal data shows that we are still a yellow community. On Wednesday when the State reports their numbers for each municipality and updates the community risk map the Town has found that the State’s case number tend to be higher.
This is due to many factors including PCR test ruling out positive rapids, residents living elsewhere but using Billerica as their address, duplicate names, etc. These cases are eventually corrected in the State database but do affect our potential risk level. When the State releases their map today Billerica could be considered a high risk red community by the State. The Town’s numbers are more accurate due to the hard work of the Board of Health who verify every case in Town. Additionally, there have been no close contacts in a school setting as of this date.
However, the numbers are trending upwards. Please continue to wear your mask, social distance, and wash your hands!
10/16
10/7 Update
Attached is the COVID-19 10/7 Update. The state will release their map later tonight. According to our numbers the Town will continue to be a moderate risk yellow community.
9/30 Update
Long Term Care Facilites 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 58
Health Care Workers 81
Apartment Complexes 61
Deaths 30
Active Cases 33
Recovered Cases 594
Total Cases to Date 657
Cases per 100,000 5.09
Seven Day Case Averge 1.29
Number of Cases last 30 days 31
Billerica Status - Yellow
9/24 Update
Date 9/8/2020
New Cases Since Last Update 9/1 5
Active Cases 5
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 581
7 Day Average 0.71
Total Cases 615
Date 9/1/2020
New Cases Since Last Update 8/27 12
Active Cases 11
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 570
7 Day Average 2.14
Total Cases 610
8/20/2020\
Attached is a COVID-19 Update from 8/20. Numbers from over the weekend will be provided tomorrow! A breakdown of where the cases occur as of early last week.
New Cases Since Last Update 8/10 11
Active Cases 8
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 553
7 Day Average 1.14
Total Cases 590
8/10/2020
New Cases Since Last Update 7/31 14
Active Cases 12
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 538
7 Day Average 1.57
Total Cases 579
7/31/2020
Attached is the COVID-19 update for 8/3. The Town performed a data reconciliation back back to 5/21. It was found that we have over reported by 8 cases. The total cases in Billerica is now 565.
This is the second data reconciliation the Town has performed to make sure we are reporting the most accurate and up to date numbers to the residents.
New Cases Since Last Update 7/20 15
Active Cases 12
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 524
7 Day Average 1.43
Total Cases 565
7/27
New Cases Since Last Update 7/20 10
Active Cases 13
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 526
7 Day Average 1.43
Total Cases 568
7/16 - Update from the Town Manager
Town Manager -
Statement of Town Manager John C. Curran:
Unfortunately, yesterday I tested positive for COVID 19. This was quite unexpected as I only pursued the test because it is required by the State of Maine for vacation travelers. I am currently asymptomatic. I am releasing this statement because this has resulted in the closure of my office for the next 14 days and to use this opportunity to educate people as to the impacts of a positive test.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires you to quarantine if you have had a close contact with a COVID 19 positive individual within 48 hours of the positive test.
A close contact is currently defined as spending 10 or more minutes in the presence of a COVID 19 individual within six feet whether wearing masks or not. These close contacts are required to quarantine for 14 days. If they have a test and they test positive they must begin the exercise of identifying their close contacts and their quarantine is now defined an isolation rather than a quarantine. If they test negative they are still required to quarantine four fourteen days just in case they develop symptoms at a later date. If they choose not to test they must quarantine for the 14 days and if they develop any symptoms they should see a physician and get tested.
In my case, I have had close contacts with four of my immediate family members and three out of four of them have tested negative and all four are quarantined. The fourth is being tested today. Sixteen Town Hall employees were close contacts and have been quarantined. Some have been tested and others will be tested today. So far none of them are positive. One of the Selectboard Members was a close contact, and is being tested today. Three other work-related contacts have been contacted as well and notified that they should be quarantined. In total I have identified 24 close contacts that must be quarantined for fourteen days.
My office will be closed for fourteen days and all calls and business will be answered and done remotely. At this point I do not have an idea as to how I contracted the virus. I have been diligent about social distance practices; however, this experience has educated me to the fact that unless you wear a mask all the time you will always expose yourself to potential close contacts. This experience also serves as a reminder as to how insidious this virus is and how important it is for all of us to remain vigilant in our social distance practices. This vigilance is the most important factor in returning and remaining as close to normal as possible. This will also be the single biggest contributor to how our kids return to school.
Date 7/14/2020
New Cases Since Last Update 7/6 23
Active Cases 16
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 502
7 Day Average 3
Total Cases 547
Date 7/6/2020
New Cases (Today) 0
Active Cases 2
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 493
7 Day Average 0.429
Total Cases 524
Date 6/29/2020
New Cases 1
Active Cases 8
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 484
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 521
Date 6/23/2020
New Cases 1
Active Cases 5
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 480
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 514
Date 6/15/2020
New Cases 1
Active Cases 9
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 471
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 509
Date 6/12/2020
New Cases 1
Active Cases 11
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 466
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 506
Date 6/8/2020
New Cases 2
Active Cases 20
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 452
7 Day Average 2
Total Cases 501
Date 6/4/2020
New Cases 3
Active Cases 45
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 422
7 Day Average 2
Total Cases 496
Date 6/1/2020
New Cases 1
Active Cases 54
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 407
Total Cases 490
Date 5/28/2020
New Cases 2
Active Cases 68
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 388
Total Cases 485
Date 5/27/2020
New Cases 4
Active Cases 67
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 387
Total Cases 483
Date 5/26/2020
The Town had 12 cases over the past four days.
New Cases 3
Active Cases 97
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 353
Total Cases 479
Date 5/21/2020
The Town has had 13 COVID-19 cases over the past two days. Also an additional 6 cases are included on May 20th. The six cases from May 20th were found during a data reconciliation of the BOH records.
New Cases (Past Two Days) 13
Active Cases 85
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 353
Total Cases 467
Date 5/19/2020
New Cases (Today) 4
Active Cases 68
Total Deaths 27
Total Recovered 353
Total Cases 448
Date 5/18/2020
New Cases (Today) 3
Active Cases 64
Total Deaths 27
Total Recovered 353
Total Cases 444
Date 5/13/2020
New Cases (Today) 7
Active Cases 86
Total Deaths 26
Total Recovered 315
Total Cases 427
Date 5/11/2020
New Cases (Today) 8
Active Cases 96
Total Deaths 25
Total Recovered 292
Total Cases 413
Date 5/7/2020
New Cases 13
Active Cases 57
Total Deaths 24
Total Recovered 287
Total Cases 368
Date 5/6/2020
New Cases 11
Active Cases 54
Deaths 24
Recovered 277
Total Cases 355
Date 5/4/2020
New Cases 5
Active Cases 53
Deaths 22
Recovered 264
Total Cases 339
On April 28th, the Billerica Board of Health voted on an emergency order requiring face coverings to be worn by members of the public and essential employees in any indoor space that is open to the public. The emergency order is based on safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
This Emergency Order applies to grocery stores, pharmacies, laudromats, hardware stores, retail/convenient stores, restaurants, and the like. Face coverings must also be worn inside public common areas such as entrances and public hallways of multi-unit residences and commercial buildings.
This emergency order goes into effect on Thursday, April 30, 2020 and a one-week grace period will be granted to allow the community time to comply. The Board of Health is aware that it may be a challenge for everyone to comply at all times and are committed to compassionate enforcement of this order and will seek first to educate members of the public about the face covering requirement. However, after the one-week grace period, persons showing willful disregard for this order, may be subject to the following: first violation a warning, $25 fine for a second violation, $50 fine for a third violation, and $100 for fourth violation.
Exceptions will be made for children under the age of six and for persons who cannot wear a face covering for underlying health reasons. Persons who cannot wear a face covering for underlying health reasons are encouraged to wear a face shield.
All essential businesses that are open to the general public must also display signs reminding anyone entering the facility that they must wear a face covering. The emergency order requires and authorizes the essential businesses subject to this order to refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering. For any essential business that is open to the general public that is in violation of this order, fines up to $300 will be issued. If a patron refuses to cooperate and insist on entering in the store without a face covering please contact the Board of Health or the Police Department.
To view the full text of the emergency order please visit the Billerica Board of Health website at: https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/169/Board-of-Health. For questions concerning this order please contact the Board of Health at 978-671-0931. We must all do our part by taking these measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 within Billerica.
4/29
New Cases 4
Active Cases 77
Deaths 21
Recovered 200
Total Cases 298
4/27
Billerica Update:
New Cases over the past three days - 13
Active Cases 102
Recovered 174
Deaths 18
Total Cases 294
4/24
The Town has done a comparison of case frequency by age group with the state - Billerica is tracking similarly with one stark exception. The age group 20-29 is tracking significantly higher than the rest of the state. It was intially attributed to cases from the House of Correction skewing the data. However, upon removal of that data this age group still tracked significantly higher than all other groups compared to the state.
The Town Manager and the Board of Health are urging people in this age group to stay vigilant about practicing social distancing. This includes covering your face when entering closed public spaces like Market Basket, do not gather with large groups of people. Stay six feet away from each other. Avoid touching your face, clean your hands often, stay home if you are sick and call your doctor if you have symptoms (cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, stuffy nose and sore throat). Meeting with friends and people you don’t live with might seem harmless but it gives you a higher potential to spread the virus. Remember, while you may recover easily from the virus people you love that are in high risk categories will not. The two additional deaths were from a high risk group at the Life Care Center.
Billerica -
New Cases 13
Active Cases 136
Recovered 134
Deaths 9
Total Cases 277
4/22
Billerica
New Cases 25
Active Cases 113
Total Deaths 7
Total Cases 251
County
New Cases 473
Total Cases 10094
State
New Cases 1745
Total Cases 42944
4/21
It is with great sadness that the Town reports three deaths between April 17th and 21st for a total of 4 Covid -19 related deaths. They were residents of the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley. Each of these cases had underlying conditions ranging from end of life palliative care to dementia. However, none of these underlying conditions make any of these losses less tragic and our hearts go out to their families and the Life Care Community.
Billerica:
New Cases 5
Active Cases: 111
Total Case: 226
County
New Cases 368
Total Cases 9621
State
New Cases 1556
Total Cases 41199
4/18
The Town experienced an unusually high volume of positive cases today - 47. This is due to testing done by the National Guard at the Merrimack Valley Life Care Center which was precipitated by 2 positive cases earlier this week at this Long Term Care Nursing Facility. This testing resulted in significant number of positive cases and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Billerica Department of Public Health have been collaborating with Life Care to ensure they continue their stringent protocols during this time period. Billerica has four long term care facilities. This is the first one to have a significant outbreak. We expect to see higher numbers of cases in long term care facilities and will continue to work with the facilities that may be greatly affected by this virus.
Billerica:
New Cases 47
Active Cases 109
Total Cases 196
County:
New Cases 553
Total Cases 8297
State:
New Cases 1970
Total Cases 36372
4/17
Billerica:
New Cases 5
Active Cases 62
Total Cases 149
County:
New Cases 538
Total Cases 7744
State:
New Cases 2221
Total Cases 34402
4/16
Billerica:
New Cases 7
Active Cases 66
Total Cases 144
County:
New Cases 525
Total Cases 7206
State:
New Cases 2263
Total Cases 32181
4/15
Billerica:
New Cases - 14
Active Cases - 59
Total Cases - 137
County:
New Cases - 427
Active Cases - 6681
State:
New Cases - 1755
Total Cases - 29918
4/14
Billerica -
New Cases - 8
Active Cases - 49
Total Cases - 123
County -
New - 271
Total - 6254
State -
New 1296
Total 28163
4/13
4/11
Billerica -
New Cases - 16
Active Cases - 43
Total Cases - 99
County -
New Cases - 425
Total Cases 4872
State -
New Cases - 1886
Total Cases 22860
4/10
Billerica
New Cases - 6
Active Cases - 27
Total Cases - 83
County -
New Cases - 402
Total Cases 4447
State -
New Cases - 2033
Total Cases 20974
4/8
Billerica
New Cases - 6
Active Cases - 24
Total Cases - 69
County -
New Cases 358
Total Cases - 3545
State
New - 1588
Total - 16790
4/7
Please see the update from the Town below.
Billerica:
New Cases – 10
Middlesex Sheriffs Office – 2 (included in the total)
Active Cases – 29
Total Cases – 63
County
New Cases – 237
Total Cases – 3187
State
New Cases 1365
Total Cases 15202
4/6
Billerica
New Cases 2
Active Cases 21
Total Cases 53
County
New Cases -318
Total Cases 2950
State
New Cases - 1337
Total Cases 13837
4/2
In the interest of providing as much information to residents as possible without compromising the identity of people afflicted by or family members affected by the COVID-19 Virus the Town will be releasing the number of people that have died as a result of the virus with certain parameters. The Town will not release the age, gender or the date of death of the people that have succumbed to the virus to prevent violation of the HIPPA Laws. The only relative information that will be provided is whether the individual was in a high risk group or had preexisting health conditions that made them more vulnerable to the virus. As of this date, the Town has one COVID-19 related death out of 44 positive cases. This individual was elderly and had preexisting health conditions.
Billerica
- New Cases - 6
- Active Cases - 27
- Total Cases - 44
County
- New Cases - 288
- Total Cases 1870
State
- New Cases 1228
- Total Cases 8966
4/1
Billerica
- New Cases - 4
- Active Cases - 22
- Total Cases - 38
County
- New Cases - 242
- Total Cases 1582
State
- New Cases 1118
- Total Cases 7738
3/31
The Town read all the comments yesterday from the residents. We have returned back to the original format. Please see the FB Video below from the Town Manager explaining the graphs.
3/30
The Town will be reporting COVID-19 cases differently from this point forward. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is discouraging municipalities from reporting the number of cases. However, the Town believes there is value in providing as much information as possible to the residents of the Town. Therefore the cases will now be reported as a percentage of the population of the Town of Billerica. This will be compared to percentages of the populations of Middlesex County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This will give residents an idea of how the COVID-19 virus progresses in the Town as compared to the county and the state. As you can see from the data presented the Town is on par with the county and doing a little better than the Commonwealth overall. It should be noted that the difference between the Commonwealth and the Town is not statistically significant. The takeaway from this data is that you can see the virus is still increasing but the breakout of the virus in the Town of Billerica is similar to both Middlesex County and the Commonwealth as a whole.
The Town will also present another graph of positive COVID-19 cases as a percentage of the population of the Town as compared to cases no longer under quarantine (recovered cases). It has been and continues to be the policy of the Town to provide residents with information to help them understand what is happening in their community. You can be assured that the Town is prepared to handle the progression of this pandemic and asks that all residents do their part by maintaining social distancing and abide by all Executive Orders of the Governor, the Billerica Board of Selectmen and Board of Health.
3/29
The Town was informed of four additional COVID-19 cases this Sunday (25 cases in total, 15 active cases). Also, please don’t forget that the Town is still running at full operations. If you need help or have questions do not hesitate to reach out! Please take a look at the link below to find out how we have altered services during the pandemic.
https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/874/Updated-Town-Hall-Operations
3/28
The Town was notified of three additional COVID-19 cases. Please continue to practice social distancing, washing of your hands, and #stayhome as much as possible!
3/27
The Town was notified of 3 more positive cases and also 3 individuals who are no longer required to be on quarantine. For guidance documents on these issues please refer to - https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/870/CDC-Mass-DPH-Guidance-Documents
Also, all fields and playgrounds will continue to be closed at least until May 4th. This will delay the start of youth sports and many Recreation Department Programs. The Town will keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Trash Update!
Due to increased concerns for worker safety because of the COVID-19 virus, we ask that residents place all household trash in bags before setting them at the curb in the blue cart for collection. Please ensure that all bags are properly sealed to prevent contents from spilling.
*REMINDER: latex gloves and wipes go in the trash – NOT in your recycling container.
As always, please remember that Recyclables should never be placed into plastic bags.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our drivers appreciate it!
3/26
Today, Billerica had one more positive report, bringing the total number of cases to 15. The Town will now start tracking recovered cases. Currently 7 of these cases have met the criteria to discontinue isolation which brings the active cases to 8.
3/25
Today the Town learned of five new Covid-19 cases. The total number of cases in Town is now 14.
The Town has seen an increase in opioid overdoses in the past 2 weeks. There have been six overdoses – two that were fatal. This represents a 100% increase over March 2019. Social distancing and orders to stay at home can be particularly difficult for those that struggle with opioid addictions. The Town is asking that family and friends to be more aware that their loved ones that struggle with addiction are under additional strains during these extraordinary times. They may be more at risk for depression, anxiety and temptations of idle time. Please feel free to reach out to the Town’s Substance abuse director if you need assistance. He can be reached at (978) 671-0943 or Mhiggins@town.billerica.ma.us. There is also additional assistance posted at the Billerica Substance Abuse Program (BSAP) page at https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/426/Substance-Abuse-Prevention-Committee.
3/24
The Town cases of COVID-19 has increased from 5 cases to 9 cases since March 22nd. These new cases are all a result of “Community Spread” – in other words there is no known origin of these cases. This is important because this indicates that COVID-19 is present throughout the Town of Billerica and that it has increased by 80% in two days. It is concluded based on CDC and Massachusetts DPH protocols that COVID-19 is significantly present throughout the community of Billerica. It is further presumed that there are a significant number of undiagnosed cases in the Town of Billerica. Therefore, it is eminently important that all residents heed the call to stay in your homes unless you are essential personnel. You need to maintain social distancing practices (keep six feet between individuals) and clean hands and commonly touched surfaces frequently. If you develop symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell please consult a doctor or visit an urgent care.
There have been many inquiries about whether any First Responders have tested positive. As has been reported, one of the Billerica cases was a First Responder. Some residents are concerned about exposure from first responders that answer a call at their home. Residents can be assured that the Town is implementing extensive measures to ensure that all first responders on duty are healthy. They are screened on each shift and must take precautions to wear personal protective gear in accordance with protocols. Any first responder that exhibits symptoms or has close contact with an individual with the COVID-19 virus is quarantined for 14 days and tested if they exhibit symptoms. Police vehicles are cleaned at the end of each shift and Fire Stations are also wiped down at the end of each shift and treated with an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer. Fire Department Overtime is restricted by Fire Station to prevent possible cross contamination. Police roll call is done remotely. The Town is taking every precaution to protect the health and ensure the safety of all of our Public Safety Employees as well as the public. Please be assured that all Public Safety departments are running at full shifts and all are healthy.
3/23
As many of you may have heard the Governor has put in place an emergency order. All non-essential business will be required to close Tuesday by noon.
Please see the below information from Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Earlier today the Governor issued an emergency order requiring all business and organizations that do not provide essential services to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers, and the public for two weeks starting tomorrow.
DPH also issued a stay-at-home advisory outlining self-isolation and social distancing protocols.
Residents are advised to stay home and avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities.
To see the full list of essential personnel check the link below:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-essential-services/download
3/22
The Town of Billerica now has five confirmed cases of Covid-19. The fifth case was a Billerica first responder who responded to an earlier confirmed case.
3/20
Updated Town Hall Operations Guide
A fourth confirmed case of Covid - 19 has been discovered in the community. The Town will no longer be reporting the cases in live time. We will begin updating the Town of any new cases after 3PM unless an emergency notification must be made.
The Town will be closing:
Hair Salons, Massage Therapy Establishments, Spas, Barbers, Tattoo Parlors, Piercing Shops, Nail Salons, Places of Worship, Social Clubs, and Fitness Centers.
Please do not flush anything down the drain besides toilet paper!
Billerica Community Pantry will be open on March 30th from 2pm to 5pm. For everyone’s protection it will be a ’drive-through’ model. Bags of food to be given to recipients that day. Everyone will get the same type and amount of food. No patrons will be allowed in the building and will not leave their vehicles.
So sufficient food is ordered, recipients must RSVP with their name and household size if they are planning to come on the 30th. Call (978) 663-8433 and leave a message. Please note that RSVPs must be received no later than Sunday evening March 22nd to receive food on March 30th.
3/19
Two COVID - 19 Updates:
3/18
3. The Town declared an emergency deceleration
Due to the Covid - 19 outbreak the Town is preparing for some changes to the Annual Town Election and Spring Town Meeting. If you would like to follow along please do so at the link below https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/866/Online-Public-Hearing
3/17
3/16
3/15
As the COVID – 19 outbreak continues to worsen throughout the country, Billerica still has no presumptive cases. Town Hall will remain open, but we would like residents to practice social distancing. If possible please conduct business online (https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/) or over the phone before deciding to come to Town Hall. Please refer to the list below of phone numbers and ways to conduct business online. If you have a random question as always please call the Town Managers Office at (978) 671 – 0942. Or email Clancy Main at cmain@town.billerica.ma.us or please
DPW (Water, Sewer, Trash, Engineering, Highway) – (978) 671 – 1313
Potholes, trash, and other items regarding DPW please email – Bgrant@town.billerica.ma.us
Permitting Documents – Can be found online here - https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/839/Permit-Documents
Please fill them out and scan them back to their respective departments.
Building / Conservation / ZBA – If you have questions regarding Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Conservation, or ZBA please contact Olivia Canario at (978) 671 -0964 or by email at Ocanario@town.billerica.ma.us
If you have any questions for the Board of Health regarding Covid – 19 or any other related questions please contact Joanne White at Jwhite@town.billerica.ma.us or by phone at (978) 671 – 0931.
For any excise tax bills, real estate, personal property, or water tax bills that are due please drop them in the green box on the side of Town Hall or pay online at https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S(dtgrchmam1bxzibeps0p2m32))/2/Site.aspx?G=c769a5e6-e348-40b4-a1ac-946582d2e5a2
If you have any tax questions please call – (978) 671 -0920. Or Email Elaine Russo at ERusso@town.billerica.ma.us
3/13
The Town Continues to monitor the current situation with COVID 19. Adjustments are made on a daily basis to protect the public and maintain, to the extent possible, Town Services and normalcy.
All public meetings have been cancelled until March 31, 2020 with the exception of meetings pertaining to Town Meeting. The Town will hold all public meetings from now until March 31st in the Buck Auditorium. This room will be set up with appropriate social distancing standards. In accordance with emergency changes to the “Open Meeting Law” ordered by Governor Baker, the Town will not allow public attendance to these meetings. These meetings will be televised live and access to Open Microphone and Public Hearings will be provided through a social media venue or telephone line to be provided later. This is information will be disseminated through the Town’s social media platforms on Monday.
While all schools in Billerica are being closed for two weeks, Town Hall will remain open for the time being. Both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mass Department of Public Health are recommending that appropriate social distancing mitigation be implemented for your community. As of this time the Town of Billerica does not have any identified presumptive positive cases of COVID 19, nor are there a significant number of identified “close contacts” (people who have been within six feet of a presumptive positive case).
Therefore, at this time it is reasonable to conclude that there is not a significant presence of “Community Spread” in Billerica. “Community spread” means there is no localized source of origin of the virus. If there is not a localized source then it is likely that virus has spread through different parts of the community. Conversely, if it is localized to a source (like someone that traveled to a hot zone like China or Italy) the close contacts can be identified and contained through quarantine.
The Council on Aging will be closed starting Saturday, March 14th and will remain closed until the following week at which time this situation will be reevaluated. Seniors are a high risk population to the virus and this precaution is being implemented to protect this population. COA Employees will still report to work as there are many services that can be provided indirectly. The Library will remain open at this time with appropriate social distancing mitigation measures being implemented. The Library is a vital service that many residents depend upon.
Recreation activities are not conducive to social distancing mitigation measures. Therefore, all Recreation programs, inside and out, will be suspended until March 31st. Additionally, all field permits for Youth organizations will be suspended until March 31st as well.
The Town Halls around Billerica; Tewksbury, Dracut and Chelmsford have also decided to implement social distancing mitigation at their Town Halls rather than closing. Additionally, they have closed their COAs and their Library’s remain open for now. It is a challenging balance to maintain public safety and continued to provide a service to the residence. It is important to maintain normal operations as long as possible because this situation is evolving rapidly. The Town is monitoring the state of “Community Spread” daily and will make changes as necessary. Please be assured that the safety of the people of Billerica is paramount.
3/12/2020
Town and School Officials continue to work together to manage the COVID - 19 outbreak.
As of 3:15PM on Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Town of Billerica has no confirmed cases or presumptive cases of COVID - 19. Accordingly, the town is making every effort to continue to provide normal services including the operation of schools while protecting public health.
The town and school have put together the following policies into place:
All meetings that are not pertinent to Town Meeting between now and March 31st will be postponed. This includes Planning Board, ZBA, Conservation Commission, and the Board of Health. The CPC meeting will take place tonight as posted.
Events that are in excess of 50 people or cannot meet social distances requirements between now and March 31st will be canceled or postponed. Please refer to the Schools, Library, Recreation, or the COA for specific programs. We will assess the impact on events after March 31st in the coming weeks as the situation develops.
Currently, the Election will take place on the first Saturday in April as set by the Town Charter. Protocols are being put into place to make the election as safe as possible. More guidance will be given in the coming weeks.
If you believe you have been in close contact (within six feet) with somebody believed to have a presumptive COVID - 19 case, please reach out to ER, PCP, or Urgent Care.
For more info please refer to the Mass DPH website. https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
3/10/2020
Town and School Officials have been closely monitoring the Governors press conference this afternoon. During the press conference it was announced that there is an increased risk for Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Massachusetts. It was also stressed that older residents and people with comprised immune systems stay home as much as possible to reduce their risk of being exposed. The Town is awaiting further guidance from DPH and the School Department is awaiting further guidance from DESE in the next 48 hours.
Town and School Officials will be meeting over the course of the next few days to determine any next steps that are needed. In the interim, Town and School Officials continue to implement enhanced protocols for cleaning high contact areas and protective measures for first responders. Please continue to wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and sanitize frequently touched objects / spaces. For further information please reference the Mass DPH and the CDC website below:
https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
February 28, 2020
Health Advisory for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Billerica – Town and School Officials met today to review communication and preparedness protocols due the evolving situation created by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This group included the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Schools, The Chief of Police, the Board of Health Director and members of the Town’s Emergency Management Team. While this is a new virus the Town’s protocol for public health preparedness is not.
The group reviewed reinforcing safety protocols for First Responders for respiratory viruses as well as cleaning protocols in Town and school building to prevent the spread of viruses. The Town will also take advantage of municipal service outlets, such as Schools, Recreation and Council on Aging to disseminate educational material to promote good public Health. Some of the educational material and more information is attached below.
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- The Town is guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) on actions to take in the event we are at risk for the virus.
- While there are 15 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States and 1 confirmed case in Massachusetts, there have been no cases in Billerica.
- The risk to residents in Massachusetts remains low.
Because we are in the midst of a seasonal cold and flu season, it is important to emphasize the risk of exposure to seasonal influenza is a primary public health concern in Massachusetts at this time. There has been an uptick in seasonal influenza case in recent weeks in Massachusetts and Billerica. The following precautionary actions will help prevent exposure to any respiratory virus:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds of scrubbing or use alcohol-based hand cleaners (if soap and water is unavailable)
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, not your hands
Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick and avoid contact with others
As information and guidance is rapidly changing, please refer to the CDC Traveler advisory for the most up-to-date information.
The Billerica Board of Health is continuing to monitor this situation very carefully and will make sure that the most up to date information will be available to residents. Refer to the MDPH website for the most up to date Massachusetts cases or contact the Billerica Board of Health at 978-671-0931 or visit the Public Health Nurse webpage of our website.