Latest Chelmsford Coronavirus Updates

CHELMSFORD, MA — The new coronavirus outbreak across the nation is having vast impacts in Chelmsford, from the closures of businesses and schools to a new normal that involves working from home and waiting in line 6 feet apart from the next person at the grocery store.

The number of cases of the illness caused by the virus, known as COVID-19, continue to rise and each day new measures and closures are announced. The state issued a Stay-at-Home advisory last week and this week extended it until May 4.

The Massachusetts case count grew to 6,620 on Tuesday, including 89 deaths. Thirty-three people died over the last 24 hours, the biggest one-day jump the state has seen since the beginning of the outbreak.

At least one Chelmsford resident and an employee at the Chelmsford Market Basket and at least three employees from the Chelmsford UPS site have also tested positive.

It's unclear how many people in Chelmsford's community of some 35,000, have tested positive, because Chelmsford officials said they would no longer publish the number of cases of people who tested positive for COVID-19, citing HIPAA privacy law. The law prohibits governments and businesses from releasing private information of individuals.

In an update on March 27, the town said the Chelmsford Board of Health and the Town of Chelmsford is "not at liberty to disclose any information on residents who tested positive for COVID-19."

The town officials said "the State of Massachusetts has advised local Boards of Health to not publish data of positive cases of COVID-19 due to privacy concerns," but rather, refer them to the state website, which breaks down the cases by county, age, and gender.

However, DPH has no authority to require towns not to publish numbers. And, in a statement sent to Patch Monday, a spokesperson from DPH said communities were at liberty to share the numbers.

"The decision to share case counts is the responsibility of a city or town," a Massachusetts Department of Health spokesperson said in a statement to Patch. "DPH recommends that local boards of health respect the privacy and confidentiality of residents when providing case counts."

Here are the latest local updates from Chelmsford:

SCHOOLS:

Closed until May 4, on the governor's most recent orders. MORE.

BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS

Restaurants, reeling amid the crisis, are offering takeout deals and special initiatives to help laid-off employees, after the governor ordered that people only get take-out from restaurants.
MORE

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

All municipal buildings are closed until further notice, including:

• The Senior Center: except for meals on wheels and
• Town Hall: The town will continue to provide services in various ways, including by phone, email, conference calls and video conferencing. MORE

PARKS, RECREATION

The governor has said that although it's OK to go outside, it's not an invitation to play sports or participate in activities with groups. Keep 6 feet distance from people not in your home, even outside. All of this is in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus, which can transfer on playground and sports equipment. Do not play on playground equipment. No group sports — no basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis, Frisbee, etc.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

The Centers for Disease Control and local and state health officials are urging everyone to practice "social distancing" by:

• Avoid any group setting of people other than your household members unless you can be six feet away from them.
• Do not have your children interact with children from other households, unless they are six feet away.
• If you need to go to the grocery store, drug store, a bank or a gas station, follow social distancing guidelines by going at off hours and keeping as much distance as possible from other shoppers and employees. Or Use take-out or delivery services with social distancing practices when picking up or accepting delivery.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, especially before and after being in public places.

PUBLIC MEETINGS:

Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order temporarily modifying the state's opening meeting law to accommodate remote participation by board and committee members for meetings that do take place, as well as remote options for members of the public wishing to oversee such meetings. MORE

Read more:

• MA Coronavirus Update: Cases Over 3,000, 10 New Deaths
• MA Coronavirus: Car Crashes Plummet As Commuters Stay Home
• Baker Requests ‘Major Disaster’ Declaration
• Chelmsford Resident Tests Positive For Coronavirus
• Market Basket Employee In Chelmsford Tests Positive