Around Town

Health Department Getting More Vaccine, Free COVID-19 Testing Continues

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Town officials gave a big “shout out” to the members of the Watertown Health Department for all the work they have done during the pandemic, including the recent free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. This week, the first members of the general public, age 75 and older, got the vaccine from the Health Department, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll said more vaccinations will be done next week. The Town will also continue to offer free COVID-19 testing through the end of February. Town Council President Mark Sideris took time during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting to thank the Health Department. “I wanted to give a shout out to our Health Department, which has gone above and beyond for just about a year to make this community as safe as possible during the pandemic,” Sideris said.

Around Town

Town: People 75 & Up Can Register for Vaccine Online, Expect Wait to Get Appointment

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The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The State has opened up scheduling today for COVID vaccinations for seniors over the age of 75 at various sites across the Commonwealth. Registration is done online and at this time, there is a high volume of registrants and many sites are experiencing little or no availability of appointments. We encourage you to keep trying to access an appointment, as more sites will open up in the weeks ahead. Families, please provide computer assistance for your elderly family members or, if you do not have access to a computer, you can contact the Watertown Senior Center at (617) 972-6490 for assistance, but they have the same access as everyone else. Please be patient.

Around Town

As Phase 2 of State’s Vaccination Plan Approaches, Town Waits for Vaccine

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Watertown residents anxiously await the COVID-19 vaccine, but to the chagrin of Health Director Larry Ramdin, he does not have any to distribute. Last week, Gov. Baker announced that Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution would begin on Feb. 1, beginning with people age 75. Second in the order of priority will be people 65 and over and people with two comorbidities

“We are spending a lot of time responding to people’s calls asking for the vaccine,” Ramdin said. The Health Department vaccinated members of the Watertown Fire and Police departments as part of Phase 1 recently, but Radmin said they were able to get the vaccine through a collaboration with the town’s of Belmont, Arlington and Lexington.

Around Town

Health Department Plans to Host COVID Vaccine Clinics, Stresses Need to Keep Up Prevention Steps

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Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn gets a COVID-19 vaccination shot during the clinic for police and firefighters run by the Watertown Health Department last week. The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel can be seen, with the first vaccinations by the Watertown Health Department starting last week, but Health Director Larry Ramdin said people must continue their virus prevention practices even after they get their shots. On Jan. 14 and 15, members of the Watertown Police and Fire departments received their first COVID-19 vaccine shots, Ramdin said. He and Public Health Nurse Wil VanDinter have begun planning for public clinics in Town, but do not know when they will be able to administer the vaccine to the general public, Ramdin said.

Entertainment

Eat Well Watertown Hosting Virtual Fall Harvest Fest

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The following information was provided by Eat Well Watertown, a program of the Watertown Department of Health:

Join us for our first Eat Well Watertown virtual class via Zoom! Tuesday, November 17 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Registration Required (See Below). Join the Watertown Farmers’ Market Culinary Corner Chefs in celebrating the fall harvest and the end of the 2020 Watertown Farmers’ Market season! This year’s Virtual Fall Harvest Fest will feature versatile vegetarian dishes for your Thanksgiving table including a short demonstration on preparing a delicious Roasted Apple and Winter Squash Soup.

Around Town

Health Department Shares Ways to Have Halloween During COVID-19

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

For residents planning to celebrate Halloween, Saturday, October 31 st , the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is recommending that you follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards. Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

Trick or Treating with Kids and Passing Treats Out at Home

Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl.Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use. Masks – Mask Up MA

Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.

Around Town

Town Running Flu Clinics, Offering Walk Through & Drive Through Options

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Watertown Town Hall

The Watertown Health Department will be running flu clinics. Residents can attend walk through or drive through clinics. The Health Department provided the following information:

When going to get a flu vaccine during COVID-19,  it is essential you follow all the protective protocols; wear a mask/face covering, social distance and must be COVID-19 free for a minimum of three days. Watertown Health Department recommends children from 6 months to 14 years go to their pediatrician for their vaccines. 

You can obtain a Flu Vaccine Insurance Form at the Town Hall, customer service window on Thaxter Street side or the Lower Hearing Room next to the park. 

Watertown Flu Vaccine Clinics For Watertown Residents 15 and Older

Drive Thru Dates: Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐ 2pmSaturday, November 7th, 9am‐ 2pm

Walk Thru Dates For residents 65+:

Saturday, October 10th, 9am‐12pmSaturday, October 24th, 9am‐12pm

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-clinic-drive-thru-tickets-118961291425

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/flu-vaccine-walk-in-clinic-tickets-120442477693

For more information and required forms please visit: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/1019/Seasonal-Influenza-and-Clinicsor call the Health Department at 617-972-6446

Around Town

Watertown Resident Tests Positive for West Nile Virus, Tips for Avoiding Mosquitos

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) announced today a human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Watertown. This case represents the second human case of West Nile Virus in our community. This raisesthe risk level to HIGH in our Watertown. Although serious illness caused by WNV is uncommon, there have been 206 cases of WNV in Massachusetts between 2001 and 2019. There were five human cases of WNV in 2019, and 49 human cases in 2018.