Southcoast Health issued an advisory yesterday updating the public that Massachusetts is nearing 200,000 COVID-19 cases and has had more than 10,000 deaths related to the pandemic.
The advisory comes as cases are once again surging in the state and region.
One-third of all high-risk communities are in this region, according to the text alert, which has seen a greater than 50% spike in both positive tests and hospitalizations.
The health system’s messages are designed to give people the information they need to be informed, be smart, and be safe, and redirect readers to a site with that heading.
There Southcoast offers information on a recently revised and more restrictive visitation policy, affirmation of key steps to help protect people from infection, and a plea for all of us to help stop the spread.
There is also a link to a site to sign up for text alerts from the hospital system.
As a reminder, here are the safety steps being recommended:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds;
- Cough and sneeze into a facial tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately;
- Avoid touching your face;
- Avoid groups of people and keep six feet of distance between yourself and others. Limit your travel;
- Clean frequently touched surfaces (including mobile devices); and,
- Stay hydrated and nourished.
If you’re someone who visits this site regularly and who is aware of the issues that we discuss here on Help & Hope Southcoast, then you’ll also understand the importance of Southcoast Health’s additional plea for support for their healthcare workers.
We’re all feeling the strain of the resurgence of the virus and know the power of receiving encouragement and well-wishes from within our community.
In addition to asking the public to follow published guidelines and help keep healthcare workers safe, Southcoast is hoping we will support these frontline staff by letting them know we care about them and appreciate the risks they are taking on our behalf.
Specifically, Southcoast is asking us to “post pictures of your Southcoast flag, your family masking up, your red lights, and your messages of gratitude and inspiration on social media with #SouthcoastFrontlines.”
If you’re feeling inspired or grateful, please do.
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