First Confirmed Case of COVID-19 In Holliston
From Emergency Management Director, Fire Chief Michael Cassidy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2020
HOLLISTON – At a March 23 meeting of the Select Board, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Cassidy confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in the community. Cassidy indicated that the Holliston Board of Health was notified of the test result, and that Salmon VNA & Hospice, the town’s nursing consultant, was monitoring the resident. Salmon VNA updated Health Director Scott Moles that the resident who tested positive for the coronavirus currently has no influenza-like symptoms, has been in quarantine, and is expected be released from quarantine within the week; in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines.
Cassidy noted that Salmon VNA is also monitoring a second Holliston resident, who had previously been in contact with a separate COVID-19 positive individual outside of Holliston. That resident also currently has no influenza-like symptoms, is in voluntary self-quarantine, and is being tested for the coronavirus.
The Town of Holliston, its Board of Health, and Salmon VNA will continue to complete the investigations for each case received, to limit exposure and spread of the disease in the community. The Board of Health strongly urges residents to comply with Governor Baker’s stay at home advisory, and follow preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including avoiding contact with those who are ill; frequent hand washing; avoid touching one’s eyes nose, and mouth; clean and sanitize high touch areas; and stay at home if ill.
The Health Department will update and share new information with the community, as necessary, regarding the coronavirus situation. For up to date information, residents are encouraged to check the town website (www.townofholliston.us), the state website (www.mass.gov/covid19) or the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/covid19).
Publishers’ Note: See the Select Board Meeting article for additional COVID-19 information.
3 Comments
Question: If the person with positive results did not have symptoms what prompted this person to be tested? Was this person knowingly exposed to someone else with COVID which led to testing?
Using the public health surveillance model, the mitigation steps being taken to manage this public health crisis are IDENTIFY and ISOLATE. Once an individual is determined to be positive for the coronavirus, through informational interviewing the nursing consultant identifies with whom they have been in contact in prior days, and whether the level of their interaction would also warrant quarantine, monitoring for symptoms, and/or testing for other persons or households.
Individuals who are positive but without symptoms underscore the importance of complying with the stay at home advisory issued by the Governor.
Thank you for the response. Stay well.