Town Of Dedham: A Message From The Board Of Health - August 13, 2021

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

08/13/2021 8:30 AM

The Board reports that as of Thursday, August 12th, there have been 2,510 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Town. This is an increase of 18 cases from last week’s update. Currently, there are 21 active confirmed cases. The Commonwealth is not sequencing all positive COVID-19 specimens, and as a result, it cannot be determined that all cases are related to the Delta Variant.

COVID-19 Vaccine

The Board encourages anyone who is eligible and unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, and effective – even against the Delta variant. Go to Vaxfinder.mass.gov or contact your local pharmacy or healthcare provider for information about getting the vaccine.

Face Masks Required in All Town of Dedham Municipal Buildings 

Effective August 10th, face masks are required inside municipal buildings for all individuals aged 2 years or older, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals unable to wear a face mask due to a medical condition or disability are exempt. This decision was made by Town Manager Leon Goodwin based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after consulting with stakeholders. According to the CDC’s Risk Map, Norfolk County is at substantial risk for COVID-19 transmission. 

Mosquitoes

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced last Friday that mosquito samples in the town of Westwood tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). To date, there have been no human cases of WNV detected in Massachusetts this year. The risk level of WNV in Dedham remains low. Regardless, it is important that Dedham residents take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. 

The Norfolk Country Mosquito Control District treats all catch basins in Dedham to prevent mosquito breeding. Additionally, you can request spraying in your area by calling the Mosquito Control District at (781)762-3681. 

The following are safety tips to ensure you and your family have a fun and safe summer while outdoors: 

Mosquito-Proof Your Home:

• Drain standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and kiddie pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or repair screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly fitting screens on all your windows and doors.

Avoid Mosquito Bites:

• Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Be aware of peak mosquito hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning.
• Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Ticks

While enjoying the outdoors this summer, the Board recommends conducting routine tick checks. Ticks are most commonly found in shady, damp, brushy, wooded, or grassy areas (especially in tall grass), including backyards. Favorite places ticks like to go on your body include areas between the toes, back of the knees, groin, armpits, neck, along hairlines, and behind ears. It is important to check children and pets for ticks too. If you find a tick on your body, use a pair of fine point tweezers to grip the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out with steady pressure. If you develop a rash where you were bitten, or experience symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, or muscle aches, call your primary care physician. The following are safety tips to prevent tick bites when outdoors: 

• Stick to recreational pathways and the center of trails when hiking.
• Wear a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt with long pants - tuck pants into your socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep ticks away from your skin and make it easier to spot a tick on your clothing.
• Use bug repellents. Repellents that contain DEET can be used on exposed skin. Permethrin can be used on clothes. Always follow the product instructions and use repellents with no more than 30-35% DEET on adults and 10-15% DEET on children. Never use insect repellents on infants. 

Bats

During summer months the likelihood of encounters with bats are increased. Bats frequently roost and raise their young in attics. When attics overheat in the summer, this may cause bats to enter living spaces within the home. Some bats can spread rabies if they bite. Anytime a sleeping person awakes to find a bat in the room, or an adult witnesses a bat in a room with a previously unattended child, mentally disabled person, intoxicated person, or pet the situation should be handled as a possible exposure to rabies. If you find a bat in your home and believe someone in your household or a pet has been exposed, contact the Dedham Health Department (781) 751-9220, the MDPH (617) 983-6800, or your primary care physician.

Stay safe and be kind!

Respectfully submitted by the Board of Health,
Leanne Jasset, Chairman
Mary Ellard, Vice-Chairman
Noreen Guilfoyle, Member

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.