The following information was provided by the Watertown Health Department:
The purpose of this notice is to remind our Residents here in Watertown of specific provisions and procedures that can be put in place in light of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19). We as a Health Department take great pride in the safety and well-being of our residents.
To ensure we continue to operate this high standard and protect our community, we HIGHLY recommended the following guidelines:
RECCOMENDATIONS
Recommendations that may help you and your fellow residents during this time: Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Staying home from work, school, and all activities when you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, which may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
- Keeping away from others who are sick.
- Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
o If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC). For example: diluted bleach solution or alcohol solution with at least 70% alcohol. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products. - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick.
- Stay in touch with others by phone or email. If you live alone and become sick during a COVID-19 outbreak, you may need help. If you have a chronic medical condition and live alone, ask family, friends, and health care providers to check on you during an outbreak. Stay in touch with family and friends with chronic medical conditions.
These additional procedures and protocols that your family puts in place will help to better protect the health, wellbeing, and safety of your entire household. Please see below for links to posters and additional resources you may choose to review:
“Keep Calm and Wash your Hands” Poster
“Stay Healthy and Wash your Hands” Poster
“Wash your Hands” Poster
“Stop the Spread of Germs” Poster
Additionally, all posters listed above can be found in multiple languages on the CDC website HERE
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Health Department at 617-972-6446. We are here to assist our residents through this situation