March 3, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
Even as the Hingham Health Department continued monitoring the Coronavirus, the Cohasset Police Department put out a Tweet Monday stating that they were notified by the Cohasset Health Department that the state Department of Public Health had quarantined a town resident due to “close contact with a person suffering from COVID-19 (Coronavirus)” and that they are “closely monitoring” the situation. The CPD remains in close contact with state and federal agencies.
“Although there is no known nexus between the resident and our public school system, we have met with school district leadership to keep them apprised of the situation,” the Tweet also stated.
The Hingham Health Department, like Cohasset, is in close communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Hingham health officials monitor all communicable diseases through a secure web-based disease surveillance system and are ready and able to respond to cases in real time and to conduct an appropriate response 24/7, according to the Health Department.
"The Hingham Health Department is continuing to follow MDPH and Centers for Disease Control guidelines," Public Health Nurse Kathy Crowley told the Hingham Anchor.
Cohasset Health Agent Pam Fahey confirmed to the Hingham Anchor that the person in home quarantine is a Cohasset woman in her twenties who participated in a school trip (not connected to the Cohasset Public Schools) in Italy during February vacation. “We’re not sure how long the quarantine will last,” Fahey said. She also confirmed that “only one person has been quarantined in Cohasset” at this time.
In a message to families on Monday, Cohasset Public Schools Supt. Patrick Sullivan explained the situation. “This individual, who home quarantined following DPH guidelines, had close proximity to someone who is known to have contracted the Coronavirus during a recent international trip. At this time there is no known connection between this individual and the Cohasset Public Schools,” the letter states. “We are working closely with the Cohasset Department of Health and the Massachusetts Department of Health, and we have shared the guidelines for schools from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with the school community.”
Sullivan also stated that on Monday school and town leadership met to discuss the impact of the Coronavirus on the Cohasset community and that school and town officials will provide information to the public as it becomes available under the direction of the DPH.
In Hingham, Supt. of Schools Paul Austin said HPS “has been in regular contact with the Hingham Health Department and the Massachusetts Department of Health to ensure that we have all up-to-date information.
“We continue to remind parents to keep any child home who is ill and that the most effective management tool is frequent hand-washing with soap and water,” Austin told the Hingham Anchor. “Our school nurses have met with the Hingham Health Department, and I have scheduled a meeting later this week to discuss procedures in the event of a more widespread outbreak. We are working hard to stay ahead of the situation and to inform our community.”
According to the Hingham Health Department town website link, there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the Centers for Disease Control recommends everyday preventive actions to help avoid the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
*Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
*Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
*Staying home when you are sick.
*Covering your cough or sneeze.
*Cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
The Hingham Health Department website link suggests following CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask:
*CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
*Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and those who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
*Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Residents are encouraged to contact the Hingham Health Department at (781) 741-1466 with any questions or concerns.