Keywords Find It Fast Home Departments » Boards & Committees » Residents Doing Business You are here Home ›› Departments ›› Health Department COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information Town of North Reading Update Regarding COVID -19 May 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM As of tomorrow, May 29, 2020, the North Reading Board of Health will align with the Governor of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on rescinding COVID 19 restrictions here in the Town of North Reading. As the North Reading residents are getting vaccinated against the COVID 19, the following community numbers are as follows: Town of North Reading Population – 16,656 Town of North Reading residents receiving at least one dose of COVID 19 Vaccination -9,983 Town of North Reading residents with at least one dose per capita – 60% Residents who are fully vaccinated -8, 201 Town of North Reading residents fully vaccinated per capita – 49% Residents by age receiving one vaccination: Ages 12-15 2% Ages 16-19 -5% Ages 20-29 -11% Ages 30-49 -28% Ages 50-64 -30% Ages 65-74 -14% 75 and older 10% Residents by age fully vaccinated: Ages 12-15 * Ages 16-19 -4% Ages 20-29 -10% Ages 30-49 -27% Ages 50-64 -33% Ages 65-74 -16% 75 and older 10% The community of North Reading has not yet gained full herd immunity to COVID 19 virus, the Health Department is issuing the following Public Health advisory and recommendations to the North Reading residential and business community to continue to be vigilant and protect yourself, your family, and your community against the COVID 19 Virus: Get Vaccinated: The Health Department recommends that all North Reading residents get vaccinated against the COVID 19 virus. Vaccines are safe and are one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick from COVID-19. Vaccines help our immune system fight infections in the future. The COVID-19 vaccine will protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19 without having to get the illness. Wear a Mask/Facial Covering: While the Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises all unvaccinated residents to continue to wear face-coverings in indoor settings and when they can’t socially distance, vaccinated residents should protect themselves by continuing to wear a masks or face-coverings when indoors, public places and outdoors when they are unable to maintain 6 feet from other people outside the household members. Effective May 29, 2021, face coverings will continue to be required for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at all times in the following locations, subject to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts defined exemptions listed below: Public transportation. Inside K-12 public schools, collaboratives, approved special education schools. In Health Care Facilities. Provider Offices. In Congregate Care Settings Maintain Social Distancing: People can spread COVID19 up to 48 hours before they have symptoms. That’s why social distancing is so important— no matter what. Even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, proper social distancing in public settings or with people who are unvaccinated or at higher risk for COVID-19 is still important. Prevention: Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. The simplest way to protest yourself from colds, flu, salmonella, norovirus and food borne disease is to wash your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands. Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others. Get vaccinated. For additional prevention and treatment information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment#social-distancing- For information regarding municipal services at Town Hall, Flint Memorial Library, and Edith O’Leary Senior Center, please click here: https://www.northreadingma.gov/home/news/town-north-reading-offering-person-services Useful Links and Reopening Resources: MA Updates and Information on COVID-19 Reopening Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts includes detailed resources pertaining to the 4-phased reopening plan in the state of Massachusetts. Each phase will last for at least 3 weeks. For sector specifc protocols and best practices click here. Baker-Polito Adminstration Orders: Please click here to review Baker-Polito new orders and advisories as announced 11/2/2020. Please click here to view all orders issused by the Baker-Polito Adminstration in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak. North Reading BOH Orders: Please click here to view all orders issued by the Board of Health in regards to COVID-19. Travel Orders: Please click here to view the full details of the MA travel order effective August 1, 2020. Those over the age of 18 entering the state from a non-low risk state are required to fill out this form prior to their arrival. North Reading COVID-19 Graphs: Please click here to view the latest data for town regarding COVID-19 cases. Confirmed COVID-19 cases by onset date of citizens in North Reading, MA. Helpful Resources: MA text COVID-19 updates: Text "COVIDMA" to 888-777 MassSupport is a statewide crisis counseling program designed for COVID-19: (888) 215-4920 Nursing home family resource line: (617) 660-5399 Crisis text line: Text "HOME" to 741-741 National domestic violence hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Call Mass 2-1-1 for emotional health and wellness support The Office of the Child Advocate has formed a webpage for educators and caregiver to help children cope with the pandemic. Multilingual resources click here. Other resourcess to get help. Testing Information For more information about where and when to get tested for COVID-19 click here. For Stop the Spread Testing Centers and Locations click here. About COVID-19 and Stopping the Spread According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control, symptoms COVID-19 (coronavirus) include fever and respiratory illness, such as coughing and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of the virus are similar to those of seasonal flu. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html Call your doctor if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) _________________ SYMPTOMS OF CORONAVIRUS _________________ Stop the Spread of Germs Wash hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizing liquid or gel if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash, or cover with your elbow. Try to avoid close contact with anyone that is sick. When sick yourself, stay home to protect others. Clean and disinfect areas and objects that are touched frequently. Such as phones, door handles, desk, keyboards, etc. ________________ CORONAVIRUS TRANSMISSION IS FROM HUMAN TO HUMAN ________________ Individuals who have come into close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should contact their local board of health or the DPH Epidemiology Line at (617) 983-6800. When to wear a face covering? As of May 6th, it is a requirement to wear a mask or face covering in public settings when social distancing is not possible. **COVID-19 Vaccine Local/State PrepMod Registration** **COVID-19 Vaccine When do I qualify/updates** Air Quality Index Board of Health COVID Safe Practices Concern Form COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Testing Centers COVID-19 Command Center Updates COVID-19 Reopening Massachusetts Community Health Community Health: Healthy North Reading Community Health: Sanitation Program Declaration of Emergency Downloadable Forms Emergency Prepardness Environmental Health Environmental Health: Septic Systems/Title V Extreme Heat Safety Tips Fees Food Protection Program Permiteyes- Permitting Software Public Safety Division Regulations Vaping Products Order Notice Contact Info Phone: (978) 664-6042 Fax: (978) 664-1713 Address: 235 North Street North Reading, MA 01864 United States See map: Google Maps Town of North Reading 235 North Street, North Reading, MA 01864-1298 Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4pm, Friday: 8am - 1pm Phone Directory Webmail Employee Self Service Employees Website Disclaimer Government Websites by CivicPlus ® Login