Board of Health discusses face masks as 55 Grafton COVID-19 cases are confirmed

As Grafton’s confirmed COVID-19 cases jump to 55, the Board of Health on Monday will discuss the use of face masks to prevent further local spread of the virus.

Worcester County has seen a jump in coronavirus cases in the month of April, with 5,500 cases confirmed and 265 deaths since the start of the pandemic. in Worcester alone, 85 additional cases were confirmed in just a day, bringing the city’s total to 2071.

Statewide, 62,205 people have had confirmed cases of COVID-19. Of those 1,940 were new cases reported Thursday. The state has had 3,562 people die from the disease, 157 in the past day.

In a press release Thursday, Town Administrator Tim McInerney issued an advisory, “Please note that while the Federal Government has begun relaxing restrictions related to COVID19, Grafton is following orders from the Governor of Massachusetts who, as of April 28, extended the closure of non-essential businesses until May 18. Restrictions regarding gatherings of 10 or more and social distancing recommendations remain in place throughout the State of Massachusetts.”

The town has also put up new signage in parks and frields illustrating the importance of social distancing. “We want residents to remain active and healthy but should be sure to continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines per the CDC.”

Nationwide, the CDC reports 1,031,659 confirmed cases and 60,057 deaths. The World Heath Organization reports 3,090,445 confirmed and 217,769 deaths.