One Confirmed, No Presumptive COVID-19 Cases Identified in Winthrop
| WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley would like to assure Winthrop residents that the town is conducting “contact tracing†with each potential case of COVID-19. The Public Health Department identifies the close contacts of each case and alerts those individuals. The community would be informed if either case were in a public space while infectious, which was not the case in these instances. “We remain vigilant in conducting these investigations rapidly and are being transparent in the process,†Director Hurley said. If any resident is currently under self-quarantine for symptoms or travel history, contact the Winthrop Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 617-539-5848 or email [email protected]. All information will be confidential. The Town of Winthrop activated its EOC at 8 a.m. Monday, March 16, streamlining the COVID-19 response effort and ensuring the continued delivery of services to residents. The EOC will remain operational until further notice. The Town’s Emergency Operations Center can be reached at 617-539-5848 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by emailing [email protected]. Municipal buildings remain closed to the public at this time. Residents can pay taxes, parking tickets, and apply for resident parking stickers online or drop payments and applications in drop box located at the Town Hall front door. Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes are due March 25. The Town is not currently extending this deadline. For questions on this, or any other inquiries relating to the Treasurer/Collector’s Office, residents should call 617-846-1750, Monday through Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., until further notice. Residents can report DPW safety issues online here. Visit the Town website at www.town.winthrop.ma.us/where to learn more. |
Local Updates
- It is recommended that there are no gatherings of any kind of more than 10 people at one time, in one place.
- All public schools in Massachusetts are closed until at least April 7.
- All bars and restaurants will only be able to serve takeout customers.
The Superintendent of Winthrop Public Schools, in cooperation with its Food Services staff, will be preparing Grab-and-Go Meals to be picked up starting Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27. These meals will be prepared by the district’s food service staff and available for any WPS student in need.
The pick up location will be at the rear parking lot next to the baseball field and at the loading dock area of Winthrop High School. Pick up hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost for any student. Food service staff will be available and on-site during distribution time to support the nutritional needs of families.
For residents that may be self-quarantined and require outside assistance or meal delivery, email the EOC at [email protected].
Latest Health Guidance:
As always, if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not go to work or school and are advised to contact their primary care physician.
The Town is also advising residents to practice social distancing by keeping six feet between people to prevent the spread of infection, which includes handshaking and hugging. Residents are also encouraged to avoid group activities and events.
Other guidelines include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
- Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.