Peabody Officials: We Are Actively Preparing For The Coronavirus

PEABODY, MA—Peabody officials say they are actively preparing for the potential escalation of COVID-19 diagnoses. This work includes regular coordination with community partners and state agencies, departmental communication with staff, implementation of prevention strategies, and planning for continuity of services.

"As a community with over 53,000 residents, Peabody is taking potential dangers posed by COVID-19 seriously," city officials said in a news release. "Peabody’s Health Department, public safety teams, and school officials are in regular communication with local partners and state agencies to stay current on the most recent guidance and to coordinate responses and actions."

According to officials, the city has taken the following actions to date:
• Increased surveillance of infectious disease cases through Massachusetts Department of Public
Health’s (MDPH) MAVEN system
• Increased surveillance for illness in public and private schools
• Enhanced cleaning protocols in public buildings
• Procured cleaning supplies and Personal Protective Equipment
• Distributed communications targeted to school communities, employees, and businesses
• Posted informational resources on city websites and social media
• Established mechanisms for regular briefings for City departments, officials, and community
• Activated Incident Command for emergency response

In addition, city officials say they remain in regular communication with state officials from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Education, and are engaged in regional collaboration with other North Shore community leaders to promote consistent messaging and decision-making for implementation of social distancing measures.

Reducing the Risk of Transmission
City officials say they are adhering to all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the MDPH. City officials say they have increased the frequency of its routine cleaning and sanitizing of publiclyaccessible spaces in City buildings and facilities.

The Peabody Health Department strongly encourages all Peabody businesses and nonprofits to take similar action to clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs and handles, computer keyboards, credit card machines, and countertops, officials say.

All city staff have been directed to engage in germ management and hygienic practices to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses. These practices include frequent hand-washing for at least 20 seconds duration, coughing or sneezing into a tissue and then disposing of it, and avoiding touching one’s face.

Individuals should also practice reasonable social distancing behavior, such as not
shaking hands. All city staff have been directed to avoid individuals who are sick and to remain at home if they are not feeling well. City employees must be out of work until they are fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.

All city departments have been directed to identify locations at their sites where staff or members of the public showing symptoms of illness can be physically separated from others, until they are able to arrange for transportation home or to medical care.

Anyone displaying symptoms (high fever and cough) or who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider immediately and avoid contact with others.

In the Event of Municipal Closures
According to city officials, in the event city offices must close for any period of time, some city services, such as online bill pay and pothole reporting, will continue to be available through the city’s official website, www.peabodyma.gov. Members of the public should anticipate that there will be a delay in response to inquiries, as offices will be closed, officials said. Public meetings may be cancelled or postponed; check the online calendar at www.peabody-ma.gov to confirm if a meeting is taking place or not.

Essential services, including public safety and some public services functions, will continue to be
provided. In some cases, the city may alter deadlines for licenses, applications, forms, and other items, so long as those alterations are within the city’s authority; be aware of such filing deadlines and plan accordingly.

Although the Peter A. Torigian Senior Center remains open for essential services, all public programs, activities, classes, and events at the center have been cancelled, officials said.

The center will continue to provide hot lunch on Monday through Friday beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the dining room.

In the event of a closure of the senior center, transportation services will continue to be provided for essential appointments, such as routine medical appointments; however, those experiencing symptoms of cough and fever will be advised to find alternative means of transportation. Senior Center vans are being cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis, officials said.

Stay Informed

Should the city need to close any offices, buildings, or facilities for any period of time, city officials said that closure will be announced via the city’s website, the city’s community messaging system CodeRED, and shared to the City’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), as well as Peabody TV Channel 9. Residents can also subscribed to Nixle. For details, residents can visit www.peabodypd.org.

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