Coronavirus: Acton Declares State Of Emergency

ACTON, MA — Acton declared a State of Emergency on Friday due to the new coronavirus. There are no positive or presumptive positive cases of the virus in Acton. By declaring a local state of emergency, Acton will be able to deploy the resources and personnel necessary to meet the community's needs.

Public buildings and playgrounds closed until further notice. The Board of Health and Board of Selectmen voted to declare a local state of emergency.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

According to the CDC, the best way of preventing the disease is to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands, to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and to use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

To avoid spreading any respiratory illness, the CDC recommends staying at home when you are sick, covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throwing the tissue in the trash, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

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