Around Town

Watertown Officials Start Preparing to Respond to Coronavirus

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Around Town

Rabies Clinic for Cats & Dogs Being Hosted by Health Department

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The following information came from the Watertown Health Department:

The Town of Watertown is pleased to announce the 2019 Rabies Vaccination Clinic. This annual program provides Watertown residents the opportunity to vaccinate their pets from the fatal disease. Rabies is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the brain in mammals, and is often transmitted through the bite of rabid animal. Massachusetts state law requires that all domesticated dogs and cat over six months of age receive the rabies vaccination. This clinic will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Watertown Administration Building, lower Level, 149 Main Street, Watertown.

Government

New Health Director Getting to Know Watertown, Sees Current Concerns, Others Down the Road

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Watertown’s new director of health comes to town with more than 40 years of experience in public health. After arriving two months ago, he said he believes Watertown has a commitment to public health, and hopes the department can move from one that is reactive to a proactive one. 

Larry Ramdin comes to Watertown after 11 years as the Health Agent in the Salem. Before that the Arlington resident worked in Reading and Newton. He was drawn to the position in Watertown. “This is a wonderful opportunity,” Ramdin said.