Town Of Dedham: A Message From The Board Of Health - September 3, 2021

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

09/03/2021 8:30 AM

The Board reports that as of Thursday, September 2nd, there have been 2,587 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Town. This is an increase of 32 cases from last week’s update. Currently, there are 33 active confirmed cases.

14-day average daily incidence rate per 100,000 people per county in MA
(August 8th – August 21st)
Click on graph below to enlarge

COVID-19 Vaccine

The Board encourages anyone who is eligible and unvaccinated to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone 12 years and older is eligible for the vaccine. The vaccine is safe, free, and effective – even against the Delta variant. Getting vaccinated will help Dedham get back to normal.  

Go to Vaxfinder.mass.gov or contact your local pharmacy or healthcare provider for information about getting the vaccine. 

Booster Dose for the General Public

More guidance from federal authorities is needed before administering booster shots to the general public.  A booster for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has not been recommended at this time. The Board will continue to update residents as more information becomes available.

Board of Health Vaccine Clinics

Currently, there are no scheduled COVID-19 vaccination clinics through the Board of Health. When more guidance about booster shots is available, the Board will look into holding clinics. Flu clinics are in the process of being planned. The Board will send out notification once the flu clinic schedule has been finalized. 

MassNotify

MassNotify is a tool that works through smartphones to privately alert users who may have been exposed to COVID-19. You can enable MassNotify on your iPhone or Android phone to add another tool to our fight against the spread of COVID-19.

• By opting in, your smartphone will share anonymous codes with other MassNotify users using your phone’s Bluetooth.
• MassNotify codes contain no personal information or location data and are completely anonymous.
• If another user you’ve been near tests positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period, you will be notified. If you test positive, you can easily and anonymously notify others to stop the spread of COVID-19.

1st Positive Human West Nile Virus Case this Season– Middlesex County

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday, September 1st that a Massachusetts resident tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). The resident was likely exposed in Middlesex County. The risk level of WNV in Dedham remains low. Regardless, it is important that Dedham residents take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

The Norfolk County 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 September 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.

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.