Board of Health

Board of Health Press Release - 3/25/2020

A second report of a positive case of COVID-19 has been received by the Stoneham Board of Health. The reported party has been in self-isolation since 3/12 while awaiting testing to become available. The reported party has since recovered and is currently remaining in self-isolation until identified for release via CDC guidelines. All primary contacts in quarantine with reported party have not become symptomatic at this time. All contacts with this case will be monitored daily.    

On Saturday, March 28, 2020 AFC Urgent Care in Stoneham, MA (located at 16 Main Street in Stoneham) will hold a COVID-19 drive through testing clinic from 9am to 5pm for members and residents of Stoneham and the surrounding communities who qualify for the novel coronavirus testing.

In order to qualify for testing, patients will need to be pre-screened by an AFC provider on Thursday, March 26^th or Friday, March 27^th via a telemedicine urgent care visit. Upon completion of the telehealth screening and determination of qualification for testing, AFC Urgent Care will send a personalized doctor’s order to that specific patient in order to be tested on Saturday, March 28^th. PLEASE NOTE: If a prospective patient does not bring an AFC doctor’s note to the drive through testing clinic, that patient will not be eligible for testing on Saturday, March 28^th.

If interested in a screening and to be eligible for an AFC Urgent Care doctors note in order to be tested for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Saturday, March 28^th in Stoneham, please call AFC Urgent Care between 8am and 8pm on Thursday, March 26^th or Friday, March 27^th at 781.430.8161.

Board of Health Press Release – 3/25/2020

The Town of Stoneham will be issuing up to date press releases as new information becomes available. The Board of Health continues to monitor all reports as they are delivered from the MAVEN electronic reporting database in use by the MDPH. All reported cases will be placed in isolation while primary and secondary contacts are identified and subsequently quarantined. All cases will be monitored daily until they are identified for release via CDC and DPH guidlelines. 

Per orders from Gov. Baker, no gatherings of more than 25 people are allowed at this time, and all restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services only, with no on-site consumption being permitted. As of 3/17/2020, all presumptive and confirmed cases of COVID-19 shall be counted towards the total state-wide case count. We implore all residents to exercise proper social distancing by employing a 6’ minimum distance between each other, refraining from handshakes and other physical contact, and limiting non-essential activities. At this time, no restrictions have been placed on going outdoors for exercise, walking pets, etc, but again please abide by these social distancing guidelines. 

**UPDATE 3/23/2020 - As of Tuesday, 3/24/2020, Gov. Baker has issued an emergency Stay-At-Home Advisory until April 7, 2020. All non-essential businesses have been ordered to close their physical operation. Essential businesses that have been identified in the MDPH Essential Services List are to remain open. At this time, we ask that all residents exercise these extended social distancing steps that have been taken by the State of Massachusetts in order to flatten the curve regarding the COVID-19 infection rate. Please refer to the CDC and MDPH websites for further information as it becomes available.** 

**Update 3/19/2020 - The Town of Stoneham understands that at this time, there are many displaced students and other individuals that have returned home during this uncertain time, and as such, may find difficulty parking. Effective immediately, the Stoneham Police Department has suspended all overnight parking enforcement and asks that all residents be mindful of neighbors and public ways during this temporary suspension of enforcement.**

We ask residents to call ahead to Town departments if they are required to conduct essential Town-related business and refrain from unnecessary visiting, should phone and electronic communications be sufficient. As of 3/17/2020, Town Hall will be operating on a reduced schedule, with no access to the general public, except by appointment. We ask that all residents remain vigilant in doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

As of 3/17/2020, the Board of Health asks that all cosmetic and non-essential services operate via appointment only. No on-site waiting will be allowed at this time. 

Please continue to refer to the Town website for more information regarding closures and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 as we monitor this rapidly evolving situation. 

Note Regarding Senior Center Services:

The SSC continues to provide transportation to grocery stores, pharmacies and food pantries on an as-needed basis during the hours of 8:30a - 4p Monday through Friday. Additionaly, the SSC will be beginning a grocery-furnishing services to at-risk populations in need. Residents are welcome to contact the SSC by phone at 781-438-1157 to coordinate services, seek additional resources, or simply speak to staff regarding their general concern. As a reminder, the SSC will continue to remain closed to the general public, but the Town of Stoneham will continue to provide services that protect the health and well-being of our residents and we will continue to encourage the community to support each other in light of this rapidly evolving situation. 

If you are interested in donating your time towards a volunteer effort, please contact Steve Angelo, Director of Volunteer Fulfillment at 781-279-2621 or by email at sangelo@stoneham-ma.gov

Thank you for your continued vigilance and steadfast precaution.

A Message from the Town Administrator:

                                           IN RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR BAKER’S 

COVID-19 ORDER NO. 13

ISSUED ON MARCH 23, 2020

STONEHAM TOWN HALL

WILL CONTINUE TO BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

BEGINNING TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

THE TOWN HALL WILL BE REDUCING STAFFING LEVELS, WORKING REMOTELY AND PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

TOWN DEPARTMENTS WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND CONCERNS MONDAY-THURSDAY 8AM-4PM DURING THIS ORDER. WE APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE FOR ANY COMMUNICATION DELAYS DURING THIS TIMEFRAME.

IF YOU NEED TO CONDUCT ESSENTIAL BUSINESS WITH THE TOWN

PLEASE E-MAIL OR LEAVE A VOICEMAIL WITH THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTAND WE WILL ATTEMPT TO MAKE A SUITABLE ACCOMODATION

WE ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING 

AS WE TRY TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS 

IN OUR COMMUNITY