In just 21 days, Grafton added 208 new COVID-19 cases
Grafton’s COVID-19 case count has reached a new milestone: 510 cases since the start of the pandemic in March.
That’s 208 cases since December 1.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday warned that the state is on the verge of another surge in Covid infections as Christmas approaches Thursday and begged residents to limit in-person holiday celebrations with only their immediate households.
“We’re not asking people to do this forever,” the governor said during his daily Covid press briefing. “We’re asking them to do it for the next 10 or 12 days.”
In Massachusetts, 11,506 people have died from Covid, and state public health officials reported 3,760 newly confirmed cases and 41 additional deaths.
You are risking your health and others health if you host or participate in any in-person festivities if you or anyone in your household:
Massachusetts department of public health
* Has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and hasn’t completed the isolation period;
* Has symptoms of COVID-19;
* Is waiting for COVID-19 viral test results;
* May have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 10 days;
* Is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults or those with certain medical conditions.
Baker rolled the state back to the first step of Phase 3 in its reopening plan earlier this month amid surging hospitalizations after Thanksgiving. The move shut down indoor performances and recreation centers and limited capacity to 40 percent in businesses such as gyms, retail stores, and movie theaters.
Grafton was designated as a high-risk community on December 10. Last week, the town’s schools reported nine new cases, seven at Grafton High School and one each at North Street Elementary School and Grafton Middle Schools. Since the start of the school year, 55 cases have been confirmed in the schools, none of which were linked to in-school transmission.
DPH released December Holiday Guidance to advise residents on how to limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 during holiday activities:
- Limit in-person celebrations to household members only
- Postpone or cancel travel this holiday season. If you do choose to travel, be aware of and comply with Massachusetts travel order requirements.
- Follow the current state gathering size limits: Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people.
Close the schools, you might save the life of a teacher or a bus driver.