How will we react ?

I want residents, employees, students of Hopkinton to better understand why we are closing schools and what you can do to help our efforts. My intention is to press the PAUSE button vs the PANIC button. You should all know that as of yesterday the number of people that tested presumptive positive increased in the Middlesex County. The total number of people in Massachusetts that are confirmed or presumptive positive is 92. Out of the 92 people in MA, 70 of them just thought they were going to work last week and now their lives and their families have been completely disrupted. I want to share a few things that will help the next two days go as smooth as possible so that are are able to accurately assess the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in Hopkinton and take further action if needed:

• All "cases" are people. I say this because 2 weeks ago these "cases" were your neighbors, friends, family, coworkers ect. The people that were identified as "cases" deserve respect and their personal and health information will not be shared with anyone

• Your family should begin to practice social distancing measures

• If you have general questions about COVID-19 you should refer to things that I have posted or go to the CDC or MDPH website for answers.

• You will only be contacted if you have been identified as a potential for having contact with someone that has a positive test for COVID-19 or if the state has identified you.

• If you firmly believe that you have had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and you haven't be contacted you may call the Health Department for further assistance