WILMINGTON, MA — According to Wilmington Health Director Shelly Newhouse, Wilmington now has 20 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, with 18 additional residents under quarantine, as of Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 5:45pm.
Wilmington’s COVID-19 cases continue to increase:
- Tuesday, March 31, 2020 — 20 positives confirmed, 18 additional quarantined
- Monday, March 30, 2020 — 17 positives confirmed, 16 additional quarantined
- Thursday, March 26, 2020 — 14 positives confirmed, 16 additional quarantined
- Wednesday, March 25, 2020 — 11 positives confirmed, 12 additional quarantined
- Tuesday, March 24, 2020 — 4 positives confirmed, 8 additional quarantined
- Monday, March 23, 2020 — 3 positives confirmed, 7 additional quarantined
- Sunday, March 22, 2020 — 0 positives confirmed, 4 quarantined
At last night’s Board of Selectmen Meeting, Town Health Director Shelly Newhouse provided an update on the town’s COVID-19 response.
Newhouse expects a surge in increases in Wilmington, in the state, and in the country over the next two weeks.
Newhouse noted that none of the town’s positive cases to date have been released yet. They must be in isolation for two weeks and be asymptotic prior to release.
Newhouse mentioned that she’s been getting a lot of complaints about large gatherings and people not respecting six-feet distances at places like Market Basket.
“I can’t be the social distancing police,” Newhouse cautioned. “I ask people to try to police themselves. Keep social distancing tips in mind.”
In response to a question from Selectman Jonathan Eaton, Newhouse said she will continue to report the number of positive and quarantined resident in town. Newhouse noted the state is asking municipalities not to put out those numbers, but she noted many Boards of Health aren’t happen with that recommendation.
“[That recommendation] lacks transparency,” said Newhouse. “As long as we just report the number, we’ll be OK with that. We’re not breaching anyone’s privacy by just reporting the case numbers.”
In response to a question from Selectman Kevin Caira, Newhouse said she would not be giving out individuals’ neighborhoods or ages. She did say, however, that the positive cases in Wilmington aren’t just the elderly, and a good number of those that tested positive are ages 30 to 45. She also noted that many of those in quarantine, but not positive, have positive family members.
Newhouse also clarified that her Health Department is conducting contract tracing when they receive word from the state that a Wilmington resident has tested positive. Anyone that recently spent time with the infected — less than 6 feet apart for greater than 15 minutes — will be notified. This has typically been household members and co-workers. The town tracks their positive cases and quarantined individuals through an electronic health reporting system called “Maven.”
Newhouse encourages the town to follow the Health Department on Facebook and visit the Health Department’s website for accurate information.
Ongoing Reminders From The Wilmington Board Of Health:
- Stay approximately six feet away from other people.
- Avoid large crowds and gatherings.
- Practice good hygiene: continue to wash hands, use hand sanitizer, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your inner elbow, and stay home if you are sick.
Certain people are at higher risk for serious illness from this virus. High-risk individuals include:
- older adults
- anyone with underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes
- anyone with weakened immune systems, and
- pregnant women
Individuals at higher risk should:
- stay home and avoid situations of potential exposure
- do not travel
- do not attend large gatherings
- limit time spent in public areas, and
- do not congregate in groups of more than 10 people.
Residents should limit interactions with persons who are at higher risk for COVID-19. If you live with someone at high risk, practice social distancing. We all have personal responsibility to take care of ourselves and others, to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
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