STATEMENT REGARDING CURRENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT SERVICES:
MARCH 18, 2020

The response to the COVID-19 outbreak is currently the main priority for all Health Department Personnel. During the State of Emergency our response times for other issues and complaints will be delayed.

With the exception of emergency situations all Food Service Inspections, Housing Inspections, property maintenance inspections, and Septic Inspections are currently on hold. If you have a situation that you believe cannot wait contact one of the inspectors, preferably by e-mail, and we will do our best to respond as resources allow.

Inspectors:
Steve Cipriani – s.cipriani@cityofwestfield.org
Tom Hibert – t.hibert@cityofwestfield.org

At this time the Transfer Station remains open. Due to the fact the residents can no longer purchase entrance passes at City Hall, residents who do not have an entrance pass but can provide proof of residency at the gate will be permitted to enter. Individual item stickers can still be purchased at Big Y. Although the Transfer Station remains open we encourage you to only make the trip if it is truly essential.

If you have a general COVID-19 related question visit www.mass.gov/covid19 or 
call Mass 2-1-1. This will reduce the call volume and allow us to respond to more urgent calls.

COMMUNICATION REGARDING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19):
MARCH 16, 2020

The Westfield Health Department continuously monitors and responds to the outbreak of Coronavirus, now known as COVID-19. The Department receives regular updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As recently as yesterday, Governor Charlie Baker announced new legislation that

Suspends Elementary and Secondary Schools operation until April 6.

Also, Governor Baker issued an emergency order limiting gatherings to 25 individuals and prohibiting on-premises consumption of food or drink at bars and restaurants until April 6.

At this time we continue to do everything possible locally to prevent the spread of this virus. All residents must be diligent about avoiding contact with people who are sick and take everyday precautions as preventative actions:

• Clean your hands often
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
• Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

The Health Department will also be conducting investigations into all confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the City. This will further ensure that we are able to identify contacts and monitor their status.

We will also be in contact with residents who are under self-quarantine requirements to confirm that the proper procedures and protocols are being adhered to.  

I encourage all residents to stay home as much as possible and to learn more about COVID-19 by visiting:

www.mass.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.who.int

Joseph Rouse
Director of Public Health
Westfield Health Department