Health Advisory for Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Updated 3/22/21
For updates directly from the MA Department of Public Health please visit – https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
The Public Health Nurse is continuing to monitor the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) within the community, if you have a question concerning this matter please reach out to Christine West at cwest@town.billerica.ma.us or telephone at 978-671-0932. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 please contact your primary care physician or visit an urgent care facility to get medical help.
3/22
Long Term Care Facilities 118
Middlesex House of Corrections 83
Health Care Workers 115
Apartment Complexes 252
Deaths 35
Active Cases 129
Recovered Cases 3145
Total Cases to Date 3309
Cases per 100,000 15.27
7 Day Average 5.43
Number of cases last 14 days 93
Positivity Rate 2.70
Billerica Status Yellow
3/1
Long Term Care Facilities 118
Middlesex House of Corrections 76
Health Care Workers 115
Apartment Complexes 244
Deaths 35
Active Cases 111
Recovered Cases 3013
Total Cases to Date 3159
Cases per 100,000 17.24
7 Day Average 5.71
Number of cases last 14 days 105
Positivity Rate 3.11
Billerica Status Yellow
2/19
Long Term Care Facilities 118
Middlesex House of Corrections 76
Health Care Workers 114
Apartment Complexes 233
Deaths 34
Active Cases 94
Recovered Cases 2918
Total Cases to Date 3046
Cases per 100,000 11.99
7 Day Average 2.71
Number of cases last 14 days 73
Positivity Rate 3.58
Billerica Status Yellow
1/29
Long Term Care Facilities 117
Middlesex House of Corrections 60
Health Care Workers 113
Apartment Complexes 216
Deaths 33
Active Cases 139
Recovered Cases 2626
Total Cases to Date 2798
Cases per 100,000 21.67
7 Day Average 3.43
Number of cases last 14 days 132
Positivity Rate 8.27
Billerica Status Red
1/22
Long Term Care Facilities 117
Middlesex House of Corrections 60
Health Care Workers 113
Apartment Complexes 207
Deaths 33
Active Cases 143
Recovered Cases 2541
Total Cases to Date 2717
Cases per 100,000 34.32
7 Day Average 7.14
Number of cases last 14 days 209
Positivity Rate 8.27
Billerica Status Red
12/18
Long Term Care Facilities 113
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 105
Apartment Complexes 144
Deaths 32
Active Cases 262
Recovered Cases 1351
Total Cases to Date 1645
Cases per 100,000 47.45
7 Day Average 13.14
Number of cases last 14 days 262
Positivity Rate 7.88
Billerica Status Red
11/13
Long Term Care Facilities 104
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 102
Apartment Complexes 96
Deaths 31
Active Cases 133
Recovered Cases 858
Total Cases to Date 1022
Cases per 100,000 26.11
7 Day Average 9.57
Number of cases last 14 days 133
Positivity Rate 2.55
Billerica Status Yellow
11/13
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 98
Apartment Complexes 86
Deaths 31
Active Cases 95
Recovered Cases 801
Total Cases to Date 907
Cases per 100,000 20.36
7 Day Average 8.00
Number of cases last 14 days 75
Positivity Rate 2.55
Billerica Status Yellow
11/6
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 89
Apartment Complexes 76
Deaths 31
Active Cases 53
Recovered Cases 750
Total Cases to Date 842
Cases per 100,000 11.66
7 Day Average 5.57
Number of cases last 14 days 71
Billerica Status Red
10/27
Deaths 31
Active Cases 48
Recovered Cases 681
Total Cases to Date 760
Cases per 100,000 11.00
7 Day Average 5.86
Number of cases last 14 days 67
Billerica Status Red
10/16
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 82
Apartment Complexes 68
Deaths 31
Active Cases 50
Recovered Cases 625
Total Cases to Date 706
Cases per 100,000 5.75
7 Day Average 1.57
Number of cases last 30 days 35
Billerica Status Yellow
10/7
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 59
Health Care Workers 81
Apartment Complexes 67
Deaths 31
Active Cases 25
Recovered Cases 623
Total Cases to Date 679
Cases per 100,000 4.76
7 Day Average 2.29
Number of cases last 30 days 29
Billerica Status Yellow
9/30
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 58
Health Care Workers 81
Apartment Complexes 61
Deaths 30
Active Cases 33
Recovered Cases 594
Total Cases to Date 657
Cases per 100,000 5.09
7 Day Average 1.29
Number of cases last 30 days 31
Billerica Status Yellow
9/24
Town Officials have been following the COVID-19 situation closely since the middle of February. The Town has taken many measures to stop the spread and had been successful through much of the late spring and summer. The residents of Town have also played a large role in following the guidance laid out by the Town and State. Following mask mandates, social distancing guidelines, and adhering to gathering limits have slowed the spread in Billerica. When the Governor released his initial community risk map Billerica was a low risk community. As the weeks have moved on the Town has seen multiple spikes in COVID-19 cases. Last night the State released their positive test numbers over the past two weeks. Billerica had 26 cases over the past 14 days and therefore moved Billerica into the moderate risk category.
The 26 cases are spread throughout the community and the ages range from late teens to the elderly. After working with Town Nurse, Christine West we have learned that some of these cases were thankfully asymptomatic. Many only found out due to testing because of medical and dental procedures. Due to moving back into the yellow category the Town will begin reporting numbers more frequently. Sadly, there has been another death in the community bringing the total in the community to 30 deaths. This individual had many underlying conditions that contributed to this outcome.
9/21
Long Term Care Facilities 95
Middlesex House of Corrections 57
Health Care Workers 80
Apartment Complexes 58
Deaths 29
Active Cases 15
Recovered Cases 577
Total Cases to Date 621
7 Day Average 1.57
9/8
New Cases (Since 9/1) 5
Active Cases 5
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 581
7 Day Average .71
Total Cases 615
9/1
New Cases (Since 8/27) 12
Active Cases 11
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 570
7 Day Average 2.14
Total Cases 610
8/20
New Cases (Since 8/10) 11
Active Cases 11
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 553
7 Day Average 1.14
Total Cases 590
8/10
New Cases (Since 7/31) 14
Active Cases 12
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 538
7 Day Average 1.57
Total Cases 579
7/31
New Cases (Since 7/20) 15
Active Cases 12
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 524
7 Day Average 1.43
Total Cases 565
7/27
New Cases (Since 7/20) 10
Active Cases 13
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 526
7 Day Average 1.43
Total Cases 568
7/20
New Cases (since 7/14) 11
Active Cases 18
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 511
7 Day Average 2
Total Cases 558
7/15
New Cases (since 7/6) 23
Active Cases 16
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 502
7 Day Average 3
Total Cases 547
6/29
New Cases 1
Active Cases 8
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 484
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 521
6/23
New Cases 1
Active Cases 5
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 480
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 514
6/15
New Cases 1
Active Cases 9
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 471
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 509
6/12
New Cases 1
Active Cases 11
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 466
7 Day Average 1
Total Cases 506
6/8
New Cases 2
Active Cases 20
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 452
7 Day Average 2
Total Cases 501
6/4
New Cases 3
Active Cases 45
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 422
7 Day Average 2
Total Cases 496
6/1
New Cases 1
Active Cases 54
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 407
Total Cases 490
5/28
New Cases 2
Active Cases 68
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 388
Total Cases 485
5/27
New Cases 4
Active Cases 67
Total Deaths 29
Total Recovered 387
Total Cases 483
5/21
5/18
New Cases 3
Active Cases 64
Total Deaths 27
Total Recovered 353
Total Cases 444
5/13
New Cases 7
Active Cases 86
Total Deaths 26
Total Recovered 315
Total Cases 427
5/11
New Cases 8
Active Cases 96
Total Deaths 25
Total Recovered 292
Total Cases 413
5/7
New Cases 13
Active Cases 57
Total Deaths 24
Total Recovered 287
Total Cases 368
5/6
New Cases 11
Active Cases 54
Deaths 24
Recovered 277
Total Cases 355
The state published today that the Town of Billerica has 400+ cases. The state sends us every case attached to a Billerica address – then the Board of Health investigates each case. Some of these cases are then found to belong to other towns. For example some cases have Billerica addresses, but live in a nursing home in Chelmsford or Lowell. Those cases should be appropriated to those cities or Towns. Sometimes a case is staying at a relatives home, but actually is living in another community. Those cases are also placed as a Billerica case. This is the reason for the discrepancy between our numbers and the state numbers.
5/4
New Cases 5
Active Cases 53
Deaths 22
Recovered 264
Total Cases 339
4/30
New Cases 16
Active Cases 48
Deaths 22
Recovered 244
Total Cases 314
On April 28th, the Billerica Board of Health voted on an emergency order requiring face coverings to be worn by members of the public and essential employees in any indoor space that is open to the public. The emergency order is based on safety guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
This Emergency Order applies to grocery stores, pharmacies, laudromats, hardware stores, retail/convenient stores, restaurants, and the like. Face coverings must also be worn inside public common areas such as entrances and public hallways of multi-unit residences and commercial buildings.
This emergency order goes into effect on Thursday, April 30, 2020 and a one-week grace period will be granted to allow the community time to comply. The Board of Health is aware that it may be a challenge for everyone to comply at all times and are committed to compassionate enforcement of this order and will seek first to educate members of the public about the face covering requirement. However, after the one-week grace period, persons showing willful disregard for this order, may be subject to the following: first violation a warning, $25 fine for a second violation, $50 fine for a third violation, and $100 for fourth violation.
Exceptions will be made for children under the age of six and for persons who cannot wear a face covering for underlying health reasons. Persons who cannot wear a face covering for underlying health reasons are encouraged to wear a face shield.
All essential businesses that are open to the general public must also display signs reminding anyone entering the facility that they must wear a face covering. The emergency order requires and authorizes the essential businesses subject to this order to refuse service to anyone not wearing a face covering. For any essential business that is open to the general public that is in violation of this order, fines up to $300 will be issued. If a patron refuses to cooperate and insist on entering in the store without a face covering please contact the Board of Health or the Police Department.
To view the full text of the emergency order please visit the Billerica Board of Health website at: https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/169/Board-of-Health. For questions concerning this order please contact the Board of Health at 978-671-0931. We must all do our part by taking these measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 within Billerica.
4/29
New Cases 4
Active Cases 77
Deaths 21
Recovered 200
Total Cases 298
4/27
Billerica Update:
New Cases over the past three days – 13
Active Cases 102
Recovered 174
Deaths 18
Total Cases 294
4/24
The Town has done a comparison of case frequency by age group with the state – Billerica is tracking similarly with one stark exception. The age group 20-29 is tracking significantly higher than the rest of the state. It was intially attributed to cases from the House of Correction skewing the data. However, upon removal of that data this age group still tracked significantly higher than all other groups compared to the state.
The Town Manager and the Board of Health are urging people in this age group to stay vigilant about practicing social distancing. This includes covering your face when entering closed public spaces like Market Basket, do not gather with large groups of people. Stay six feet away from each other. Avoid touching your face, clean your hands often, stay home if you are sick and call your doctor if you have symptoms (cough, fever, loss of taste or smell, stuffy nose and sore throat). Meeting with friends and people you don’t live with might seem harmless but it gives you a higher potential to spread the virus. Remember, while you may recover easily from the virus people you love that are in high risk categories will not. The two additional deaths were from a high risk group at the Life Care Center.
Billerica –
New Cases 13
Active Cases 136
Recovered 134
Deaths 9
Total Cases 277
4/22
Billerica
New Cases 25
Active Cases 113
Total Deaths 7
Total Cases 251
County
New Cases 473
Total Cases 10094
State
New Cases 1745
Total Cases 42944
4/21
It is with great sadness that the Town reports three deaths between April 17th and 21st for a total of 4 Covid -19 related deaths. They were residents of the Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley. Each of these cases had underlying conditions ranging from end of life palliative care to dementia. However, none of these underlying conditions make any of these losses less tragic and our hearts go out to their families and the Life Care Community.
Billerica:
New Cases 5
Active Cases: 111
Total Case: 226
County
New Cases 368
Total Cases 9621
State
New Cases 1556
Total Cases 41199
4/18
The Town experienced an unusually high volume of positive cases today – 47. This is due to testing done by the National Guard at the Merrimack Valley Life Care Center which was precipitated by 2 positive cases earlier this week at this Long Term Care Nursing Facility. This testing resulted in significant number of positive cases and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Billerica Department of Public Health have been collaborating with Life Care to ensure they continue their stringent protocols during this time period. Billerica has four long term care facilities. This is the first one to have a significant outbreak. We expect to see higher numbers of cases in long term care facilities and will continue to work with the facilities that may be greatly affected by this virus.
Billerica:
New Cases 47
Active Cases 109
Total Cases 196
County:
New Cases 553
Total Cases 8297
State:
New Cases 1970
Total Cases 36372
4/17
Billerica:
New Cases 5
Active Cases 62
Total Cases 149
County:
New Cases 538
Total Cases 7744
State:
New Cases 2221
Total Cases 34402
4/16
Billerica:
New Cases 7
Active Cases 66
Total Cases 144
County:
New Cases 525
Total Cases 7206
State:
New Cases 2263
Total Cases 32181
4/15
Billerica:
New Cases – 14
Active Cases – 59
Total Cases – 137
County:
New Cases – 427
Active Cases – 6681
State:
New Cases – 1755
Total Cases – 29918
4/14
Billerica –
New Cases – 8
Active Cases – 49
Total Cases – 123
County –
New – 271
Total – 6254
State –
New 1296
Total 28163
4/13
4/11
Billerica –
New Cases – 16
Active Cases – 43
Total Cases – 99
County –
New Cases – 425
Total Cases 4872
State –
New Cases – 1886
Total Cases 22860
4/10
Billerica
New Cases – 6
Active Cases – 27
Total Cases – 83
County –
New Cases – 402
Total Cases 4447
State –
New Cases – 2033
Total Cases 20974
4/9
Billerica
Active Cases – 32
Total Cases – 77
4/8
Billerica
New Cases – 6
Active Cases – 24
Total Cases – 69
County
New Cases 358
Total Cases – 3545
State
New – 1588
Total – 16790
4/7
Please see the update from the Town below.
Billerica:
New Cases – 10
Middlesex Sheriffs Office – 2 (included in the total)
Active Cases – 29
Total Cases – 63
County
New Cases – 237
Total Cases – 3187
State
New Cases 1365
Total Cases 15202
4/6
Billerica
New Cases 2
Active Cases 21
Total Cases 53
County
New Cases -318
Total Cases 2950
State
New Cases – 1337
Total Cases 13837
4/2
In the interest of providing as much information to residents as possible without compromising the identity of people afflicted by or family members affected by the COVID-19 Virus the Town will be releasing the number of people that have died as a result of the virus with certain parameters. The Town will not release the age, gender or the date of death of the people that have succumbed to the virus to prevent violation of the HIPPA Laws. The only relative information that will be provided is whether the individual was in a high risk group or had preexisting health conditions that made them more vulnerable to the virus. As of this date, the Town has one COVID-19 related death out of 44 positive cases. This individual was elderly and had preexisting health conditions.
Billerica
- New Cases – 6
- Active Cases – 27
- Total Cases – 44
County
- New Cases – 288
- Total Cases 1870
State
- New Cases 1228
- Total Cases 8966
4/1
Billerica
- New Cases – 4
- Active Cases – 22
- Total Cases – 38
County
- New Cases – 242
- Total Cases 1582
State
- New Cases 1118
- Total Cases 7738
3/30
The Town will be reporting COVID-19 cases differently from this point forward. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is discouraging municipalities from reporting the number of cases. However, the Town believes there is value in providing as much information as possible to the residents of the Town. Therefore the cases will now be reported as a percentage of the population of the Town of Billerica. This will be compared to percentages of the populations of Middlesex County and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This will give residents an idea of how the COVID-19 virus progresses in the Town as compared to the county and the state. As you can see from the data presented the Town is on par with the county and doing a little better than the Commonwealth overall. It should be noted that the difference between the Commonwealth and the Town is not statistically significant. The takeaway from this data is that you can see the virus is still increasing but the breakout of the virus in the Town of Billerica is similar to both Middlesex County and the Commonwealth as a whole.
The Town will also present another graph of positive COVID-19 cases as a percentage of the population of the Town as compared to cases no longer under quarantine (recovered cases). It has been and continues to be the policy of the Town to provide residents with information to help them understand what is happening in their community. You can be assured that the Town is prepared to handle the progression of this pandemic and asks that all residents do their part by maintaining social distancing and abide by all Executive Orders of the Governor, the Billerica Board of Selectmen and Board of Health.
3/28
The Town was notified of three additional COVID-19 cases. Please continue to practice social distancing, washing of your hands, and #stayhome as much as possible!
3/27
The Town was notified of 3 more positive cases and also 3 individuals who are no longer required to be on quarantine. For guidance documents on these issues please refer to – https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/870/CDC-Mass-DPH-Guidance-Documents
Also, all fields and playgrounds will continue to be closed at least until May 4th. This will delay the start of youth sports and many Recreation Department Programs. The Town will keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Trash Update!
Due to increased concerns for worker safety because of the COVID-19 virus, we ask that residents place all household trash in bags before setting them at the curb in the blue cart for collection. Please ensure that all bags are properly sealed to prevent contents from spilling.
*REMINDER: latex gloves and wipes go in the trash – NOT in your recycling container.
As always, please remember that Recyclables should never be placed into plastic bags.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Our drivers appreciate it!
3/26
Today, Billerica had one more positive report, bringing the total number of cases to 15. The Town will now start tracking recovered cases. Currently 7 of these cases have met the criteria to discontinue isolation which brings the active cases to 8.
3/25
Today the Town learned of five new Covid-19 cases. The total number of cases in Town is now 14.
The Town has seen an increase in opioid overdoses in the past 2 weeks. There have been six overdoses – two that were fatal. This represents a 100% increase over March 2019. Social distancing and orders to stay at home can be particularly difficult for those that struggle with opioid addictions. The Town is asking that family and friends to be more aware that their loved ones that struggle with addiction are under additional strains during these extraordinary times. They may be more at risk for depression, anxiety and temptations of idle time. Please feel free to reach out to the Town’s Substance abuse director if you need assistance. He can be reached at (978) 671-0943 or Mhiggins@town.billerica.ma.us. There is also additional assistance posted at the Billerica Substance Abuse Program (BSAP) page at https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/426/Substance-Abuse-Prevention-Committee.
3/24
The Town cases of COVID-19 has increased from 5 cases to 9 cases since March 22nd. These new cases are all a result of “Community Spread” – in other words there is no known origin of these cases. This is important because this indicates that COVID-19 is present throughout the Town of Billerica and that it has increased by 80% in two days. It is concluded based on CDC and Massachusetts DPH protocols that COVID-19 is significantly present throughout the community of Billerica. It is further presumed that there are a significant number of undiagnosed cases in the Town of Billerica. Therefore, it is eminently important that all residents heed the call to stay in your homes unless you are essential personnel. You need to maintain social distancing practices (keep six feet between individuals) and clean hands and commonly touched surfaces frequently. If you develop symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell please consult a doctor or visit an urgent care.
There have been many inquiries about whether any First Responders have tested positive. As has been reported, one of the Billerica cases was a First Responder. Some residents are concerned about exposure from first responders that answer a call at their home. Residents can be assured that the Town is implementing extensive measures to ensure that all first responders on duty are healthy. They are screened on each shift and must take precautions to wear personal protective gear in accordance with protocols. Any first responder that exhibits symptoms or has close contact with an individual with the COVID-19 virus is quarantined for 14 days and tested if they exhibit symptoms. Police vehicles are cleaned at the end of each shift and Fire Stations are also wiped down at the end of each shift and treated with an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer. Fire Department Overtime is restricted by Fire Station to prevent possible cross contamination. Police roll call is done remotely. The Town is taking every precaution to protect the health and ensure the safety of all of our Public Safety Employees as well as the public. Please be assured that all Public Safety departments are running at full shifts and all are healthy.
3/20
A fourth confirmed case of Covid – 19 has been discovered in the community. For more information and to have many of your questions answered please tune in to our Facebook Live this afternoon.
Also the Town will no longer be reporting the cases in live time. We will begin updating the Town of any new cases after 3PM – unless an emergency notification must be made.
3/19
Two COVID – 19 Updates:
1. A third confirmed case of Covid – 19 has been discovered in the community. It is now evident that community spread exist in the Town of Billerica. Please wash your hands, stay home as much as possible, and be safe.
2. The Annual Town Election has been moved to June 6, 2020. Town Meeting has been moved to June 16, 2020.
3/18
3. The Town declared an emergency deceleration
Due to the Covid – 19 outbreak the Town is preparing for some changes to the Annual Town Election and Spring Town Meeting. If you would like to follow along please do so at the link below https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/866/Online-Public-Hearing
3/17
The Town was informed this afternoon of the first two positive cases of COVID-19 in Billerica. These cases are a husband and wife living in the community. Upon this notification, the Billerica Board of Health followed protocols established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
These protocols included an investigation into those people identified as “close contacts” of the individuals who tested positive. Anyone identified as a “close contact” has already been notified by the Billerica Board of Health, and has been requested to self-quarantine for a period of fourteen days. Unless you have been contacted by the Billerica Board of Health, it is not likely that you have had exposure to these individuals.
The Town continues to monitor the spread of COVID-19 within the community and will take appropriate actions as directed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to mitigate the spread of the virus. The Town is also advising residents to do your part and follow the CDC guidelines by staying home if you are sick, continue practicing social distancing (staying 6 feet away from others when possible), and check in on others that may need assistance during this time.
Engage with your friends online and do your part to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
3/15
As the COVID – 19 outbreak continues to worsen throughout the country, Billerica still has no presumptive cases. Town Hall will remain open, but we would like residents to practice social distancing. If possible please conduct business online (https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/) or over the phone before deciding to come to Town Hall. Please refer to the list below of phone numbers and ways to conduct business online. If you have a random question as always please call the Town Managers Office at (978) 671–0942. Or email Clancy Main at cmain@town.billerica.ma.us or please
DPW (Water, Sewer, Trash, Engineering, Highway) – (978) 671 – 1313
Potholes, trash, and other items regarding DPW please email – Bgrant@town.billerica.ma.us
Permitting Documents – Can be found online here – https://www.town.billerica.ma.us/839/Permit-Documents
Please fill them out and scan them back to their respective departments.
Building / Conservation / ZBA – If you have questions regarding Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Conservation, or ZBA please contact Olivia Canario at (978) 671 -0964 or by email at Ocanario@town.billerica.ma.us
If you have any questions for the Board of Health regarding Covid – 19 or any other related questions please contact Joanne White at Jwhite@town.billerica.ma.us or by phone at (978) 671 – 0931.
For any excise tax bills, real estate, personal property, or water tax bills that are due please drop them in the green box on the side of Town Hall or pay online at:
If you have any tax questions please call – (978) 671 -0920. Or Email Elaine Russo at ERusso@town.billerica.ma.us
3/13
The Town Continues to monitor the current situation with COVID 19. Adjustments are made on a daily basis to protect the public and maintain, to the extent possible, Town Services and normalcy.
All public meetings have been cancelled until March 31, 2020 with the exception of meetings pertaining to Town Meeting. The Town will hold all public meetings from now until March 31st in the Buck Auditorium. This room will be set up with appropriate social distancing standards. In accordance with emergency changes to the “Open Meeting Law” ordered by Governor Baker, the Town will not allow public attendance to these meetings. These meetings will be televised live and access to Open Microphone and Public Hearings will be provided through a social media venue or telephone line to be provided later. This is information will be disseminated through the Town’s social media platforms on Monday.
While all schools in Billerica are being closed for two weeks, Town Hall will remain open for the time being. Both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Mass Department of Public Health are recommending that appropriate social distancing mitigation be implemented for your community. As of this time the Town of Billerica does not have any identified presumptive positive cases of COVID 19, nor are there a significant number of identified “close contacts” (people who have been within six feet of a presumptive positive case).
Therefore, at this time it is reasonable to conclude that there is not a significant presence of “Community Spread” in Billerica. “Community spread” means there is no localized source of origin of the virus. If there is not a localized source then it is likely that virus has spread through different parts of the community. Conversely, if it is localized to a source (like someone that traveled to a hot zone like China or Italy) the close contacts can be identified and contained through quarantine.
The Council on Aging will be closed starting Saturday, March 14th and will remain closed until the following week at which time this situation will be reevaluated. Seniors are a high risk population to the virus and this precaution is being implemented to protect this population. COA Employees will still report to work as there are many services that can be provided indirectly. The Library will remain open at this time with appropriate social distancing mitigation measures being implemented. The Library is a vital service that many residents depend upon.
Recreation activities are not conducive to social distancing mitigation measures. Therefore, all Recreation programs, inside and out, will be suspended until March 31st. Additionally, all field permits for Youth organizations will be suspended until March 31st as well.
The Town Halls around Billerica; Tewksbury, Dracut and Chelmsford have also decided to implement social distancing mitigation at their Town Halls rather than closing. Additionally, they have closed their COAs and their Library’s remain open for now. It is a challenging balance to maintain public safety and continued to provide a service to the residence. It is important to maintain normal operations as long as possible because this situation is evolving rapidly. The Town is monitoring the state of “Community Spread” daily and will make changes as necessary. Please be assured that the safety of the people of Billerica is paramount.
Billerica – Town and School Officials continue to work together to manage the COVID – 19 outbreak.
As of 3:15 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Town of Billerica has no confirmed cases or presumptive cases of COVID – 19. Accordingly, the town is making every effort to continue to provide normal services including the operation of schools while protecting public health.
The town and school have put together the following policies into place:
All meetings that are not pertinent to Town Meeting between now and March 31st will be postponed. This includes Planning Board, ZBA, Conservation Commission, and the Board of Health. The CPC meeting will take place tonight as posted.
Events that are in excess of 50 people or cannot meet social distances requirements between now and March 31st will be canceled or postponed. Please refer to the Schools, Library, Recreation, or the COA for specific programs. We will assess the impact on events after March 31st in the coming weeks as the situation develops.
Currently, the Election will take place on the first Saturday in April as set by the Town Charter. Protocols are being put into place to make the election as safe as possible. More guidance will be given in the coming weeks.
If you believe you have been in close contact (within six feet) with somebody believed to have a presumptive COVID – 19 case, please reach out to ER, PCP, or Urgent Care.
For more info please refer to the Mass DPH website. https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
Billerica – Town and School Officials met today to review communication and preparedness protocols due the evolving situation created by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. This group included the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Schools, The Chief of Police, the Board of Health Director and members of the Town’s Emergency Management Team. While this is a new virus the Town’s protocol for public health preparedness is not.
The group reviewed reinforcing safety protocols for First Responders for respiratory viruses as well as cleaning protocols in Town and school building to prevent the spread of viruses. The Town will also take advantage of municipal service outlets, such as Schools, Recreation and Council on Aging to disseminate educational material to promote good public Health. Some of the educational material and more information is attached below.
- 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
- The Town is guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) on actions to take in the event we are at risk for the virus.
- While there are 15 total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States and 1 confirmed case in Massachusetts, there have been no cases in Billerica.
- The risk to residents in Massachusetts remains low.
Because we are in the midst of a seasonal cold and flu season, it is important to emphasize the risk of exposure to seasonal influenza is a primary public health concern in Massachusetts at this time. There has been an uptick in seasonal influenza case in recent weeks in Massachusetts and Billerica. The following precautionary actions will help prevent exposure to any respiratory virus:
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds of scrubbing or use alcohol-based hand cleaners (if soap and water is unavailable)
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, not your hands
Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick and avoid contact with others
As information and guidance is rapidly changing, please refer to the CDC Traveler advisory for the most up-to-date information.
The Billerica Board of Health is continuing to monitor this situation very carefully and will make sure that the most up to date information will be available to residents. Refer to the MDPH website for the most up to date Massachusetts cases or contact the Billerica Board of Health at 978-671-0931 or visit the Public Health Nurse webpage of our website.
