Reading, MA – Over the past several weeks, town officials have been monitoring the spread of Coronavirus (COVID – 19) as it moved from China and across the globe. On January 23, 2020, the town created a central location under Public Health for related information, and since then there have been many conversations and informal planning sessions among town staff. On this past Monday, March 2, in response to the latest information released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Town activated a formal Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where all town departments, the school and light departments, and Austin Prep participated in the first of what will be ongoing planning and response meetings for the foreseeable future. Town officials also participated in a statewide call led by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) on Monday, March 2nd, during which MDPH officials provided cities, towns, and the health care community an update on the virus.
“In addition to the information, we have received and reviewed from the Centers for Disease Control, Department of Public Health, our local Public Health Department and Town Departments we are speaking with our regional partners in other communities. Through this process we will be in a stronger position to respond if a local response is needed,” said Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Greg Burns.
Yesterday we featured a new button on the Readingma.gov homepage for Coronavirus information, with direct links to the CDC COVID-19 page, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Coronavirus page, printable fact sheets for home and workplaces, numerous other links and documents for residents and businesses to take proactive precautions.
“We are at a low-risk situation currently but we don’t know what the future holds. At this stage we suggest that all residents and businesses become familiar with the literature provided through these links, wash your hands frequently and work with your employer to be able to stay home if you are sick. If residents don’t feel well they should contact their own health care provider or medical facility,” said Town Manager Bob LeLacheur. “Town services are not currently impacted and we will be sure to advise the community should that situation change.”
You can visit Reading’s dedicated Coronavirus webpage here: https://www.readingma.gov/public-health-services/news/information-on-novel-coronavirus-outbreak.
The MDPH and CDC websites are updated on a regular basis, and additional local information will be posted on this page as it becomes available.
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