Town Administrator Michael Mullen would like to provide an update on the process of individual case investigation and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases.
The Town of Dighton continues to place a priority on contact tracing for residents in the community. The Board of Board of Selectmen recently approved the use of $5,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to help fund contact tracing efforts and the Town is in the process of hiring a Contact Tracer.
The Contact Tracer will join the efforts of the Dighton’s Public Health Nurse and Board of Health staff who have been providing contact tracing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In early December, state contact tracing protocols were updated by the Department of Public Health. Local contact tracing efforts are now prioritizing contacts with only those who test positive for COVID-19. Individuals who test positive are asked to notify their own close contacts. A close contact is anyone who an individual has been within 6 feet of for a combined total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period in the 48 hours before an individual’s symptoms began.
“The Town of Dighton has remained ever-vigilant throughout the past 20 months and continues to place a top priority on the health, safety and well-being of our community members,” Town Administrator Mullen said. “We have and will continue to closely monitor the testing positivity rate within our community as we look to limit the spread of COVID-19 among our residents, employees and visitors.”
The Town of Dighton encourages residents to continue to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19. This includes:
- If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild, contact your healthcare provider and arrange a test at your nearest testing site.
- Isolate if you are positive and inform your contacts that you have seen them 48 hours before your symptoms began.
- Stay informed through the Massachusetts DPH COVID-19 website here.
- Wear face masks when in municipal buildings or interacting with the public.
Stay Informed
The Town’s Pandemic Task Force continues to meet and will provide further updates and recommendations 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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