On Wednesday, March 25th, Longmeadow reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19, according to Town Manager Lyn Simmons. The person is in isolation at home, and will remain in contact with the Longmeadow Board of Health during their illness. Longmeadow Health Officials are tracing any close contacts (people who spent more than 15 minutes within six feet of the individual) the individual had recently, and those identified will be notified and possibly ordered to quarantine. Mrs. Simmons said, “We are monitoring this case very closely, in accordance with all Department of Public Health guidelines. We will continue to keep the residents of Longmeadow updated as more information relating to the COVID-19 public health crisis is available.”
Longmeadow has been preparing for the likelihood of town cases by creating a coronavirus taskforce, composed of members of the different departments and headed by Fire Chief John Dearborn. Longmeadow urges residents to follow social distancing measures, to wash hands regularly, and to stay at home. Schools will remain closed until May 4. All municipal buildings of the town have been closed, Greenwood Daycare Center is closed, the transfer station is closed, and Parks and Recreation programs have been canceled. The Meals on Wheels program and the Food Pantry continue to operate, but all pickups must be prearranged.
According to the Longmeadow Fire Department, it has dedicated an ambulance for all suspected coronavirus-related calls. A virtual town hall webpage has been established, and if any town meetings are to be held they will be held remotely. Construction will continue on the new DPW and Adult Center building. The Emergency Management Team is creating a neighbor to neighbor plan with social services, churches, charter schools and other agencies in town. Town officials are urging residents to stay at home and asking for the public’s help in flattening the curve by following social distancing measures. Information about social distancing will be distributed by faith-based groups, among others.
Longmeadow’s first case is part of the 45 cases in Hampden county and the total 1,838 cases reported in Massachusetts as of Wednesday, March 25th, by DPH. The U.S. has 62,873 cases according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine data.
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Track Coronavirus Cases with JHU’s Live Coronavirus Case Tracking Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
