Around Town

Watertown Has a Third Positive Test for Coronavirus

By |

Watertown has a third positive test for Coronavirus, the Watertown Health Department announced Thursday, with the second case coming over the weekend. The Health Department said it cannot release information about the people who tested positive for COVID-19, including where they live and work. They said they are trying to track any people they may have been in contact with. In the statement about the second Watertown case, the Health Department indicated that the person had no link to the Watertown Public Schools. The announcement about the third case did not have that information (See the announcement farther below).

Around Town

Mass. Gov. Bans Gatherings, Over 25, Makes Restaurants Take-Out Only & Closes All Schools

By |

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced some sweeping steps to try to control the outbreak of Coronavirus in Massachusetts Sunday evening, including limiting the size of gatherings, allowing restaurants only to serve take out meals and closing all the schools in the state. During the press conference he said there are no plans currently to have residents shelter in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. He did stress that people should only gather in small groups, according to a report on WCVB Channel 5. “These gatherings include all community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs and theaters,” Baker said.

Around Town

Watertown Officials Start Preparing to Respond to Coronavirus

By |

A hand sanitizer dispenser has been placed outside the Town Council Chamber as one of the responses to the Coronavirus in Massachusetts. While there are no cases of the Coronavirus in Watertown, the Town’s Emergency Team met Tuesday to discuss ways to respond to the Coronavirus in Watertown. The town has already begun posting information about ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) in town buildings, and a liquid hand sanitizer dispenser and a sign saying “Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands” were placed outside the Town Council Chamber before Tuesday’s meeting. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Town Manager Michael Driscoll read statements from Director of Public Health Larry Ramdin and Fire Chief Bob Quinn. Ramdin stressed there are no cases of COVID-19 in Watertown, but added that on Tuesday, Gov. Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to the Coronavirus.

Around Town

No Coronavirus in Watertown, Local & State Health Officials Monitoring Situation

By |

The Watertown Health Department announced that no cases of the deadly Coronavirus have been reported in town, but like officials from the Federal government down to the local level, they are monitoring the situation. The Watertown Health Department is providing updates, information and tips on its webpage: https://www.watertown-ma.gov/186/Health. The spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Asia and Europe has made headlines. On Wednesday, President Trump announced the appointment of Vice President Mike Pence to lead the Coronavirus effort in the U.S. The same day, the first case of the virus being transmitted to someone who had not traveled overseas was reported in California. Countries that have had major outbreaks have taken steps to try to stop the spread.

Around Town

Watertown Mall Hosting Flu Clinic, Blood Pressure Screening

By |

The Watertown Mall will host two health and wellness events on Nov. 1: a flu clinic and a blood pressure screening. See the following announcements for details. Flu Clinic

The Watertown Mall and the Watertown Health Department are partnering up for a flu clinic at the mall on Friday, Nov. 1, beginning at 10 a.m. This two-hour long event will be held in the back hallway of the mall, near Target and is free for all customers over six months old.

Around Town

Flu Vaccines Available at Watertown Health Department Clinics

By |

This Fall, the Watertown Health Department will run a series of flu vaccine clinics for Watertown residents. The 2019-20 Public Flu Clinics for Watertown Residents will be held at the Senior Center, the Library and the Police Station. Most are for anyone 6 months and older, but one is for those 55 and older. The Watertown Health Department will be offering influenza vaccine to all Watertown residents at the following locations:

Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Senior Center 31 Marshall St., for ages 55 and over

Friday, Oct.

Around Town

Health Dept. Warns of EEE in Watertown, Tips to Avoid Mosquito Bites

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

Due to the risk level of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in the Middlesex County, the Watertown Health Department is urging residents to take personal precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Even though no positive EEE mosquitoes have been identified in Watertown, the risk to acquire mosquito borne diseases continues until the first deep frost sets in. The Watertown Health Department urges residents to continue to take steps to avoid mosquito bites by using repellents, limit outdoor activity during peak mosquito hours (dusk till dawn), and keep skin covered. For further information regarding the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Agricultural Resources aerial spraying for EEE in critical and high risk communities, click here. Avoid Mosquito Bites

Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors.

Around Town

Watertown Mall Offering Free Blood Pressure Screening

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

Every first Friday of the month, the Watertown Mall hosts a free blood pressure screening from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. For this upcoming month, this will happen on June 7, 2019. The screenings are sponsored by the Watertown Health Department. Screenings take place in the back hallway of the mall, near Target & Carter’s. About the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA Bus routes 70 and 70A. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information about this event and other Watertown Mall programs, such as our weekly Walking Club, please visit www.watertown-mall.com or contact the management office at 617-926-4968 x21.