Swansea, MA COVID-19 Resources and Information

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Town of Swansea Urges Continued Vigilance as COVID-19 Cases Rise and Holidays Approach

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Town Remains in Red “High Risk” Category

SWANSEA — Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein is urging residents to closely follow COVID-19 prevention guidance following a recent sustained increase in the number of cases in town and continued designation as a red “high risk” community.

The town will be postponing its Town Meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, Nov. 23, to a later date. Details regarding a new date for the meeting will be shared when they are available.

Additionally, the Swansea Free Public Library is reverting back to curbside pickup services only starting Monday, Nov. 23. Curbside pickup is available by phone at 508-674-9609.

According to the public health data released on Thursday, Nov. 19, the town’s designation remains in the red “high risk” category. This designation indicates more than or equal to 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than or equal to a 5% positivity rate.

According to Thursday’s data, there have been 147 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Swansea over the past two weeks. Swansea’s average daily incidence rate has risen to 65.8 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 37.6. The town’s percent positivity rate is 8.87%.

“It’s important that we do not let our guard down. Despite waning cases over the summer, COVID-19 has not gone away and our case counts are rising once again,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “Please limit the places you go and the contacts you have with others to not only decrease your risk of contracting the virus, but aid in preventing its spread as well. As Thanksgiving approaches next week, we cannot stress enough how important it is for residents to be vigilant and responsible as they celebrate while closely following public health guidance.”

Residents should continue to wear face coverings at all times while in public — indoors and outside — as well as practice social distancing and avoid gatherings. Residents are also encouraged to regularly wash their hands, and avoid touching their faces in order to reduce the risk of virus spread.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traveling increases one’s potential to be exposed to COVID-19 and of potentially spreading it to others, and the CDC strongly recommends that people do not travel for the Thanksgiving holiday. Staying home and observing the holidays with those in your household or hosting a virtual celebration are the best ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. 

Those who do travel must abide by the Commonwealth’s travel order, which can be found here.

For more guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving amid COVID-19 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), click here.

Residents are reminded that the closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in Fall River or New Bedford. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here.

COVID-19 prevention tips from the DPH include:

  • Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others, is critical.
  • Those who must go out are urged to:
    • Avoid gathering in groups
    • Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
    • Do not shake hands or hug
    • Wash your hands often
  • Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands.
  • Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public spaces. This does not apply to those under the age of five and with underlying health conditions.
  • Face coverings should:
    • Cover the nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
    • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
    • Permit breathing without difficulty
    • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the CDC website here and the DPH website here.

Additional information regarding the Town of Swansea’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the Town’s website, www.town.swansea.ma.us and on the Town’s official COVID-19 blog, swanseacovid19.com.

Swansea residents with questions may additionally contact the Swansea Board of Health at 508-324-6704.

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Town of Swansea Officials Continue to Urge Residents to Remain Vigilant Against Spread of COVID-19 Following ‘Red’ Designation

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Town Administration Mallory Aronstein reports that the Town of Swansea has seen a further rise in positive COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, and town officials are continuing to urge the community to follow COVID-19 prevention guidance.

According to the public health data released on Thursday, Nov. 12, the Town’s designation is now “Red,” indicating a “high risk” in the community. This designation follows the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s (DPH) update to the calculation of risk designations to better reflect COVID-19 caseload in relation to population. Swansea’s “Red” designation in accordance with the new metrics indicates more than or equal to 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than or equal to a 5% positivity rate.

According to today’s data, there have been 84 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Swansea over the past two weeks. Swansea’s average daily incidence rate, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has risen to 37.6 per 100,000 residents, up from last week’s rate of 25.1.

“It is imperative that residents continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing and get tested when sick to do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “As we approach the holiday season, residents should be reminded that this is not the time to let their guards down. Per Gov. Baker’s new orders, residents should adhere to the stay at home advisory and avoid social gatherings.”

Swansea residents are reminded of the new state measures now in effect. They include:

  • Stay At Home Advisory: A revised Stay At Home Advisory has been issued which instructs residents to stay home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions are made for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk. To read the revised advisory, click here.
  • Early Closure of Businesses and Activities: A new executive order requires certain businesses to close and activities to end each night at 9:30 p.m. To read the new executive order, including a full list of businesses affected by the new early closure requirement, click here.
  • Face Coverings: Face coverings are now required in all public places, even if 6 feet of social distance can be maintained. Limited exceptions remain. To read the revised face-coverings order, click here.
  • Gatherings: A new order reduces the gathering size limit for gatherings at private residences. Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people. The new order also requires that organizers of gatherings report known positive COVID-19 cases to the local health department and requires organizers to cooperate with contact tracing. To read the revised gatherings order, click here.

Holiday Safety

With the holiday season upon us, the Town of Swansea would like to share the following holiday safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Family and friends should consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in their community and in the community where they plan to celebrate when considering whether to host or attend a holiday celebration. 
  • Host outdoor activities rather than indoor activities as much as possible. If hosting an outdoor event is not possible, and you choose to host an indoor event, avoid crowded, poorly ventilated, or fully enclosed indoor spaces.
  • Avoid traveling for the holidays as traveling increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household poses low risk for spread.
  • During holiday celebrations, you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people you don’t live with, wear a mask and avoid busy eating areas, such as restaurants during high volume mealtimes.
  • If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed during your celebration, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) for 14 days after the event to protect others:

To view more holiday safety tips, visit the CDC’s COVID-19: Holiday Celebration page here.

General COVID-19 Safety

Town officials would also like to remind residents, especially young adults, of the COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH):

  • Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing — maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others — is critical.
  • Those who must go out are urged to:
    • Avoid gathering in groups
    • Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
    • Do not shake hands or hug
    • Wash your hands often
  • Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands.
  • Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and with underlying health conditions.
  • Face coverings should:
    • Cover the nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
    • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
    • Permit breathing without difficulty
    • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.

For additional tips from the CDC, click here, and from the Massachusetts DPH, click here.

Additional information regarding the Town of Swansea’s response to COVID-19 can be found on the Town’s website: www.town.swansea.ma.us.

Swansea residents with questions may additionally contact the Swansea Board of Health at 508-324-6704.

 

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Town of Swansea Shares Safety Tips for a Safe Halloween Celebration Amid COVID-19

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The Town of Swansea would like to share tips for trick-or-treating and alternative Halloween activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Trick-or-treating will take place in Swansea on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Residents and communities should follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits.

“We understand that many residents want to participate in upcoming Halloween festivities to bring some sense of normalcy to the beginning of the holiday season amid the ongoing pandemic,” Board of Selectmen Chair Christopher Carreiro said. “With that said, we would like to remind all our our residents of the importance of taking safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No Halloween activity is worth being infected or infecting others, so we ask that all residents remain mindful of COVID-19 guidance.”

Should residents partake in trick-or-treating, they are encouraged to make individually wrapped goodie bags that can be placed at the end of a driveway or the edge of their yard for families to take. Those handing out candy should also wear a mask and gloves at all times and frequently wash their hands. Those who do not wish to participate in trick-or-treating are asked to shut off their outdoors lights as an indicator.

Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

  • Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.
  • Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl
  • Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.
  • Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use.
  • Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.
    • A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering. To protect yourself and others, ensure you are wearing a protective face mask or covering instead of or in addition to a costume mask.
  • Observe good hand hygiene, including hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often, especially after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces and before eating candy.
  • Refrain from touching your face.
  • Decorate your yard for others to enjoy from their car or while on a socially-distanced walk.
  • Hold virtual costume contests or pumpkin carving events.
  • Celebrate with members of your household with a Halloween-themed meal, Halloween movie night, or by preparing a Halloween scavenger hunt.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet of physical distance from all other participants who are not members of the same household.
  • Don’t enter anyone’s home while trick-or-treating and if a group is already at someone’s door then wait at a safe distance until they leave.
  • Mark separate paths for trick-or-treaters to enter and exit your property when possible.

Families should avoid the following:

  • Attending crowded costume parties held indoors, or any gatherings that exceed indoor or outdoor gathering limits;
  • Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming; and
  • Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household.

Stay home and refrain from Halloween activities, including handing out Halloween treats, if you feel unwell, you have tested positive for COVID-19, you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or you have traveled to or from a state that is not classified as lower risk within the last 14 days. For more information on lower risk states, please see the state’s COVID-19 Travel Order webpage.

The Town of Swansea would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Halloween!

 

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Town of Swansea Shares Phase 2 Guidelines for State’s Reopening Plan

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‘Step One’ of Phase 2 Reopenings Began Monday, June 8

SWANSEA — Acting Town Administrator James Purcell and the Town of Swansea wish to share with residents information about the second phase of Gov. Charlie Baker’s four-phase approach for reopening the state and the mandatory guidelines for businesses allowed to reopen this week.

On Saturday, June 6, Gov. Baker announced the second stage of the state’s reopening plan. The plan allowed additional industries to reopen Monday, June 8. All industries allowed to reopen will need to adhere to state and local restrictions.

Monday marked “step one” of Phase 2. Industries eligible to reopen on Monday and the industry-specific restrictions that they must follow included:

  • Restaurants, which will be allowed to offer outdoor dining options for patrons, in addition to their takeout and delivery services.
  • Retail spaces, which will be allowed to have limited amounts of in-store customers. This guidance does not apply to Farmers’ Markets. 
  • Golf facilities, including information about on-site restaurants and pro-shops, which will be allowed to reopen in Phase 2.
  • Operators of Lodging, including hotels, motels and other lodging businesses.
  • Outdoor recreation, including parks, athletic fields, open space and outdoor education programs.

Hospitals and community health providers will also be allowed to offer less-urgent preventative care, such as teeth cleanings, vision services and certain elective non-urgent procedures, starting Monday. This does not include elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs.

Step two of Phase 2 will allow for the reopening of such industries as nail salons, massage therapy, tattoo parlors and tanning salons. Restaurants will also be allowed to offer indoor dining as part of step two.

Baker said Saturday that public health data will determine when Phase 2 moves from its first step to its second step, with a determination coming over the course of the next week.

The State’s decision to move forward with Phase 2 reopenings was in part due to the positive trend of COVID-19 testing rates. According to the State’s Dashboard of Public Health Indicators dated Friday, June 5, three of the six indicators are currently trending positive, which also includes the number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals and the State’s testing capacity.

More information, as well as the industries that reopened in Phase 1 and those specific reopening guidelines, can be found here.

“From an economic standpoint, local businesses have been particularly hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Acting Town Administrator Purcell said. “Entering Phase 2 is a significant milestone for our community, as well as for the entire state. We will work hard to ensure our local restaurants and other establishments can reopen in a safe and timely manner, and we urge our residents to shop and dine local as more reopenings take place in the coming weeks.”

Public health officials will continue to monitor COVID-19 case data in the state daily, and the data will serve as a guide for progressing through additional phases of the reopening plan. Should there be an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, state officials will order the return to the prior phase.

General, mandatory safety standards that all businesses must adhere to include:

  • Requiring employees, vendors and patrons to practice social distancing (maintaining six feet between each other), establishing protocols to allow for social distancing among employees and providing signage to promote the practice.
  • Requiring face coverings or masks for all employees, and providing physical partitions taller than a standing worker where physical distancing is challenging, if necessary (i.e. cashiers).
  • Providing hand washing opportunities and supplies throughout the workplace to ensure that employees are able to frequently do so.
  • Regularly disinfected high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs and restrooms throughout the workplace.
  • Providing training for employees on social distancing and hygiene.
  • Requiring that any employee who displays symptoms related to COVID-19 stay home from work.
  • Establishing a plan for employees who contract COVID-19, including cleaning and disinfecting protocols, and a return-to-work plan.

More information about the mandatory safety standards can be found here.

Additional restrictions may be implemented for specific businesses, industry sectors or municipalities in order to prevent local outbreaks.. This information will be shared when it becomes available.

Residents are still urged to stay home as much as possible in order to limit their risk for exposure to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Those who are 65 or older, or have been identified as high risk individuals should they contract the virus are asked to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 people remain in effect.

Should residents leave their homes for any reason, they are asked to take the following steps to help prevent the transmission of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19:

  • Wear a face mask or cloth face covering when social distancing is hard to maintain.
  • Practice social distancing at all times by remaining 6 feet away from others when you must leave your home for trips to open businesses or facilities.
  • Wash your hands, and clean and disinfect all high touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and countertops.
  • Stay home if you’re sick and avoid close contact with others.

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