Town’s Pandemic Task Force Continues To Meet Regularly
DIGHTON — As positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise throughout Bristol County and the state, Town Administrator Michael Mullen would like to remind Dighton residents of the ways the Town is working to address the pandemic and of health and safety protocols still in place in town.
As of Thursday, Sept. 16, the Town of Dighton’s testing positivity rate is 2.96%. While this number is below the reported rate of 4.2% across Bristol County according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Risk Map, the Town’s Pandemic Task Force is continuing to meet regularly to discuss how best to keep residents safe.
The Task Force last met on Monday, Sept. 20. The Town continues to encourage the wearing of facial coverings in all municipal buildings. The Board of Selectmen and Board of Health are continuing to support local contact tracing being conducted by credentialed town employees. Increased cleaning protocols remain in place in municipal buildings. Additionally, the Town is maintaining its close partnership with Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District officials to assist students and families as needed.
Mullen also said that he is proposing funding for additional public health nurse resources for consideration at Dighton’s Nov. 1, 2021 Special Town Meeting. He is also exploring opportunities to provide more regional public health nurse services with other local communities.
“We will continue to pursue ways to best meet the needs of our residents as COVID cases continue to climb throughout the entire region, including proposing more long-term public health nursing resources and exploring opportunities to collaborate with other communities in the region,” Town Administrator Mullen said. “The Town will continue to operate in line with the latest CDC and Massachusetts Department of Health protocols, and we thank our local and state public health officials for putting the health and safety of our residents at the forefront during the entire pandemic.”
Health and Safety Protocols
Bristol County is currently at “high” risk for COVID-19 community transmission according to the CDC. To limit the spread of COVID-19, residents should continue to follow recommendations made by the Massachusetts DPH and the CDC:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
- Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
Stay Informed
The Town’s Pandemic Task Force will provide further updates to the Board of Selectmen and via the Town of Dighton website, the Dighton News Portal and Town social media accounts as they become available.
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