Grafton’s COVID-19 risk turns red; municipal buildings closed to the public

Grafton is now a red zone.

The state changed the town’s COVID-19 risk status from Yellow to Red (high-risk) due to the increasing case counts in the community. 

“As a result, with great regret, effective Monday, December 14, all municipal buildings, except the Police walk-in dispatch center and the public schools which will continue to operate per their protocols, will be closed to all members of the general public and there shall be no in-building appointments,” Temporary Town Administrator Carter Terenzini wrote in a press release.

On Thursday, nine additional cases of Covid were reported by the Central Mass Regional Public Health Alliance, marking 126 cases since December 1. Since Grafton’s first case in March, the town has had 403 test positive and 11 deaths.

“We urge all persons to help contain the spread of this respiratory disease through the 3Ws and also by following the Commonwealth’s guidelines and restrictions,” said Karen Gauvin, chair of the Board of Health.

• Wear your mask (even when outside);
• Watch your distancing (minimum of 6 feet);
• Wash your hands. 

“We regret having to take these steps and reducing services to our residents and customers but do so to ensure the safety and welfare of our employees so they might be able to continue to provide service through these alternative means,” Select Board Chair Peter Carlson said.

Municipal Center staff will work with the general public by the use of emails, the Municipal Center drop box and Zoom conferences to meet the needs of the general public, according to Terenzini. The buildings will be closed for one full week after the change of the town’s status to a lower risk level and reopen to the general public on the first Monday following the completion of that one week of extended closure. At that time the offering of in-person appointments will be resumed. 

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that is spread through droplets or airborne transmission. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms including, but not limited to, cough, fever and shortness of breath or loss of taste and smell, you are encouraged to get tested and self-quarantine until you receive the results. Free testing is available for all Massachusetts residents in various locations throughout the Commonwealth. Please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread for more details. 

The town is also encouraging residents to get their seasonal flu shot. Further inquiries may be made with the Board of Health on 508-839-5335 extension 1119 or by email on at healthdept@grafton-ma.gov.