COVID-19 Information

Updated Covid-19 Guidance

September 18, 2023

For the most current COVID-19 updates visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information Town specific updates are available below. 

Covid-19 Infection-

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that emerged in late 2019. Reported illness ranges from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed COVID-19 cases. 

Symptoms of infection may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • In elderly, chronically ill, or debilitated individuals such as residents of a long-term care facility, symptoms of COVID-19 may be subtle such as alterations in mental status or in blood glucose control

 

However, it is possible for people with COVID-19 to spread the virus to others up to 48 hours before they have symptoms. Visit the CDC's resource on symptoms for more information.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild, please contact your healthcare provider. Visit COVID-19 Testing to learn more about testing options.

 

You can also call 2-1-1 to learn more about COVID-19 prevention, symptoms, and treatment. Mass 2-1-1 is a hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are free and confidential. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages.

 

Covid-19 Testing - 

Visit the MA Dept. of Public Health's About Covid-19 Testing page to learn more about when to test, different types of COVID-19 testing, and where to find tests.

 

Isolation - 

Current guidelines from the MA Dept. of Public Health state that any individual testing positive should isolate immediately and remain isolated from day 0 through day 5 whether you are vaccinated or not. The day you test positive, or the date your symptoms began, whichever came first is considered your "day 0". Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas. Self-isolation means separating yourself from others to keep your germs from spreading. If symptoms have started to improve, and there is no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, isolation may end on day 6. Continue to wear a mask around others for days 6-10 (including in the household). You may remove your mask prior to day 11, if you have had two negative tests taken 48 hours apart.

  


Vaccination Recommendations -  

 

·       Pediatric and adolescent guidance: Children over the age of 6 months should receive at least one updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine as part of the recommended vaccination series. If your child has not previously received a COVID-19 vaccine they should complete the updated series as soon as possible. All child caregivers should speak with their respective healthcare provider(s) about vaccination by the end of October.

·       Adult guidance: Adults should receive the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine dose to be best protected from severe illness. If you are not yet vaccinated, you should complete the updated series as soon as possible. If you have been previously vaccinated you should get an updated vaccine, at least two months after your last dose. All adults should aim for vaccination by the end of October.

·       Additional guidance for older adults and those with compromised immune systems: CDC recommends adults ages 65 years and older to speak with their healthcare provider about receiving a second dose. People with immunocompromised systems are recommended to receive a second dose, and potentially additional doses, of the updated COVID-19 vaccine for increased immune protection, with the approval of their healthcare provider.

 

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick from COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, COVID-19 vaccine safety, and where to get vaccinated.

 

Current Cases –

Visit the MA Dept of Public Health's Covid-19 Interactive Dashboard to view reports on Massachusetts COVID-19 cases, testing, and hospitalizations, as well as additional reports include nursing facility data, cases by city/town, and vaccination data.


COVID-19 Coronavirus Information Links

Helpful links to stay up to date on all COVID-19 Coronavirus Information

Covid-19 Self Reporting Tool

Self reporting covid

Previous Town of Longmeadow COVID-19 Coronavirus Updates

Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - February 5, 2021 

Governor Announces Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line and Increases Capacity for Certain Types of Businesses

Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - December 8, 2020


The Baker-Polito administration today announced new measures to disrupt the trend of increasing new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Massachusetts. A copy of the press release regarding this announcement can be found here.

Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - November 19, 2020


On Saturday, November 21 from 12pm – 2pm the Town will be holding a drive thru mask giveaway at the Longmeadow High School parking lot. Masks are available for all household members and residents can receive masks for individuals not able to attend. Please follow the signs and stay in your vehicle.  The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching and while we are accustomed to gathering with friends and extended family to celebrate, this year it is extremely important to limit gatherings to just those in your primary household. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has put together guidance to keep us all safe during the holidays. If you host a holiday celebration, keep it small. If you are considering travel, be aware of Massachusetts travel orders. If you participate in a celebration, follow public health guidance. All gatherings – no matter the size or location – must end and people must disperse by 9:30.


Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - November 4, 2020

Governor’s Updated Orders and COVID-19 Cases 

Today we have 10 active cases and our current status on the MassDPH map is “Yellow”. With the recent increase in cases over the past 14 days we will likely move to “Red” when the updated map is released tomorrow. While this is not cause for alarm, it is a reminder to increase your awareness, remain vigilant by wearing face coverings, social distancing and avoiding large gatherings. COVID-19 is still in our community. Stay safe and take care of each other. On Monday, November 2, 2020, Governor Baker released new advisories aimed at keeping people safe and containing the virus. The “Stay at Home Advisory” and “Further Revised Gatherings Order #54” begin on Friday, November 6, 2020, and all residents of Massachusetts are advised to stay home between the hours of 10pm and 5am. 

Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - October 22, 2020

Board of Health recently met and discussed Halloween events and trick-or-treating and weighed whether activities like door-to-door trick-or-treating that can attract large groups of people should take place at this time. After review and discussion the Board of Health voted to prohibit door-to-door trick-or-treating. As unfortunate as it is to eliminate this fun annual tradition, protecting the health and safety of residents and doing what we can to prevent the spread of the virus is the top priority. 

Town of Longmeadow Update COVID-19 Coronavirus - August 12, 2020

Reminder on Masking and Social Distancing, New State Data Tool on Community Cases, Follow State Orders on Travel, Council on Aging to Remain Closed until New Building is Completed, Greenwood Daycare to Remain Closed

The Annual Town Meeting logistics team met this morning and reviewed weather information and updated COVID-19 case numbers. There has been no marked change in COVID-19 positive community cases. Currently, there are 2 positive cases in the community and that number has been relatively consistent for 3 weeks. Weather information and radar has been continuously monitored since last Thursday. The weather pattern is stable for the next two days with a 30% chance of rain on Tuesday. The team has decided to proceed as planned with tomorrow’s Annual Town Meeting.

Playgrounds and Basketball Courts Reopen, Summer Camps and Pools Will Not Open, Recreation Fields are Open and Limited Team Sports/Sports Leagues Beginning, Greenwood Daycare will open in the fall

Public forums have been scheduled to review the Annual Town Meeting warrant and answer questions. The forums will be held on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 7PM and Monday, June 22, 2020 at 7PM.

Tennis Courts Reopening, Face Masks Available to Residents, Recycling Center Opens Saturday for Bulky/Household Items 

Face Masks Available to Residents, Recycling Center Opens Saturday, May 23 for Bulky/Household Items, Town Election Information and Annual Town Meeting

Governor’s Order Requiring Face Coverings & Voting by Absentee Ballot for Town Election

The Recycling Center on Pondside Road will open for yard waste only, West Road leaf dump will close beginning Saturday, May 2. Spring sports have been cancelled, including all sponsored sport leagues. Fiscal constraints necessitating furloughs in 5 town departments. 

Extension of due dates for property taxes, betterments and Community Preservation surcharges, exemption and deferral applications, and motor vehicle excise, water, sewer and stormwater utility bills.

Additional guidance on grocery stores, Town no longer releasing case count data, keep up the social distancing.

Town releases COVID-19 coronavirus positive case numbers, will provide daily update by 5pm each day. 

Updates include, town offices to remain closed through May 4, 2020, leaf and yard waste area to open on April 1, 2020, and the Annual Town Meeting postponed until June 23, 2020 and other updates.

Tennis courts, basketball courts and play structures will be closed Friday, March 27, 2020. Signage on social distancing will be placed at parks and athletic fields. 

The Town of Longmeadow confirmed today that there is one positive case of COVID-19 in the community.

The Select Board declared a state of emergency and a listing of town actions. 

The Select Board voted to declare a state of emergency in Longmeadow. The declaration was done to assure that Town has all available resources at its disposal to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Please register for Code Red Emergency Notifications and the app.

Town officials prepared a PSA on LCTV regarding the town and school response to COVID-19 CoronavirusLCTV PSA re Coronavirus Opens in new window


Group gatherings limited to 50 people or less, non-essential board and committee meetings postponed, Storrs Library closed, Council on Aging programming canceled.