| GLOUCESTER — Following a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases in the community, Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken and Public Health Director Karin Carroll are urging residents to continue practicing public health guidance to stop the spread. |
| As of Tuesday, March 30 there were 80 confirmed, active cases of COVID-19 in the community and five probable cases. Two people in Gloucester are currently hospitalized due to illness from the disease. |
| “After more than a year of making sacrifices, we’re urging everyone to push through this time and continue taking steps to stay healthy. If you and your entire family aren’t fully vaccinated, it still simply isn’t safe to gather,†said Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “We know people are looking forward to the warmer spring weather and may feel tempted to meet with family and friends. This virus continues to be a serious danger to everyone –please follow public health guidelines so we can stop the spread we’re seeing in Gloucester.†|
| The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meeting with family and friends virtually, or gathering outdoors while practicing social distancing. More information on the CDC’s guidance can be found here. |
| “Gloucester has worked hard to organize local clinics when possible and provide residents with resources for identifying vaccination opportunities once they become eligible. Unfortunately, this pandemic is not over,†said Gloucester Public Health Director Karin Carroll “Whether you have received your first shot, or if you’re vaccinated fully, the fact remains: everyone needs to keep wearing masks when visiting groups or in public, practicing social distancing and staying home if you feel ill.†|
| The CDC has advised those who are fully vaccinated can visit indoors, in private residences with others who are fully vaccinated as well as those from a single household who are unvaccinated and are not at risk for severe illness from the disease. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated when two weeks elapse after the second vaccine dose (or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine). Everyone should continue practicing public health guidance that has been established since the pandemic began including mask wearing and practicing social distancing. For more guidance for those who are fully vaccinated, click here. |
| Gloucester officials also wish to remind residents: |
- Everyone in Massachusetts is still required to wear a mask in public, both indoors and outdoors.
- Private indoor gatherings in Massachusetts continue to be limited to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people.
- If you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 stay home and contact your primary care physician. To review common symptoms of COVID-19 from the CDC, click here.
- Those who are fully vaccinated are reminded that while the vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective at preventing illness from COVID-19, information is still being collected on their effectiveness against certain variants of the virus. As such, continuing to practice COVID-19 prevention measures will still help protect you, as well as anyone you interact with, from illness.
- Get vaccinated when you’re eligible. The general public becomes eligible for the vaccine in Massachusetts on April 19. Residents can preregister for an appointment at a mass vaccination site by clicking here, check for available vaccination appointments once they are eligible here, and are encouraged to contact their local pharmacies to learn about vaccination opportunities.
|
