Adams Board of Health Concerned Over Rising COVID-19 Cases
ADAMS, Mass. — The Board of Health issued another warning this past week in regard to COVID-19 as the town remains in the red.
"It is alarming that Adams is in the red," Chairman David Rhoads said Wednesday. "... One always hopes that this is a blip but cases keep appearing."
Rhoads said just Wednesday there were five new cases in Adams. According to the state's weekly health report, the town had 31 new cases over the previous two weeks.
Adams has been in the red category since April 1; this past Thursday it was one of three county towns in the red, the others being Lee and Williamstown. The town's 14-day average positivity rate is 3.56 percent and its incident rate is 26.9 per 100,000.
Rhoads asked that residents continue to respect COVID-19 guidelines and practice mask-wearing, social distancing, and proper hygiene.
He also asked that folks stay within their social circles and avoid traveling if possible.
Rhoads urged people to get vaccinated when they are eligible and that they should continue to wear a mask even after vaccination.
"You may be 95 percent there but there are still a few percentage points and you could possibly contract the virus after benign vaccinated," he said. "You may be able to pass it on. The likelihood is low but it is not zero. So keep wearing a mask."
He thanked Enforcement Officer Mark Blaisdell for issuing a public health order on weddings spelling out more stringent guidelines.
"I think it is justified given the number of cases we have here in Adams," he said.
Weddings are limited to 75 attendees, indoor and outdoor. The order outlines protocols for the gatherings and caterers.
Blaisdell said he is sharing the order with stakeholders and said it will stay in place until he deems it safe to terminate it.
In other business, the board updated its tobacco regulations to address the sale of "flavored tobacco product enhancers" such as flavored hemp wraps.
According to the new regulations, no retailer shall possess, hold, keep, sell, or distribute such products.
Before closing, the board said goodbye to member Laura Grandchamp who will not run for re-election.
"Thank you for helping," Rhoads said. "Maybe we can tap you again in the future."
Tags: COVID-19,
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