Hopkinton Coronavirus: Six Positive Cases In Town

HOPKINTON, MA — Hopkinton announced on Tuesday it has six positive cases of the new coronavirus in town. The town now has cases within the community that cannot be linked to either travel or known contact with a coronavirus case. Town officials reminded residents that as testing increases, more cases may pop up in town.

In an effort to limit the spread of the virus and support social distancing guidelines, the health department will begin compliance inspections this week. Families and individuals are being asked to stay home, only have contact with immediate family members and to limit unnecessary trips to stores that will remain open.

"Our mitigation strategy continues to focus on protecting the most vulnerable population and to preserve our public safety personnel and health care workforce," read a statement from the town.

The EED has permitted one Exempt Emergency Child Care facility to operate in Hopkinton — the directory of facilities can be found online. The facility will provide assistance to the families of public safety, health care and other essential employees, that can not otherwise provide daycare for their children.

The extra help with childcare for essential workers comes just in time as Governor Charlie Baker issued a stay-at-home advisory on Monday across the state and ordered all non-essential businesses to close their physical doors. Wednesday was the first full-day of the advisory.

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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