By Juanita A. Carnes FNP, Westfield Board of Health chair and Joseph Rouse, Westfield health director
Starting next Saturday, we will bring to you in this informational bulletin recent information about the Covid-19 Pandemic focusing on our community. Initially, none of us expected to be so deep in this pandemic into the new year. Although we are ten months in, new issues and questions are arising. There is a lot of information and misinformation available regarding every aspect of covid. What is happening in one community or state may not be happening in our community.
This week’s latest Westfield information is available to you in Peter Currier’s article following our monthly meeting held on January 13, 2021 or you can listen to our meeting on youtube with thanks to Peter Cowles. The enormous impact Covid-19 is having on American lives is greater than any statistics. And the statistics are astounding. In the United States:
• 38,000 Covid-19 deaths in the first two weeks of this year
• 384,000 Covid-19 total fatalities, rising daily
• 23 million Americans infected on 1/13/2021
• 130,300 Americans currently hospitalized with Covid-19
• Covid-19 kills one American every minute
Information and education are key to coping with the many facets of this pandemic. Please be assured that this department has been educated, trained and prepared for a pandemic. Working together, we can stop the
spread.
Our goal is to help our community by sharing up to date information. We know citizens are looking for information on testing, vaccines, contact tracing, keeping safe and how to stop the spread. Our department is readily available to answer any questions or address concerns @ 572-6210. The purpose of this weekly bulletin is to provide answers to your questions.
Dedicated health department members who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic are:
Debra Mulvenna RN, Assistant Director
Evelyn Bristol, RN
Steve Cipriani, Health Inspector
Thomas Hibert, Health Inspector
Cheryl McMordie, Office Manager
Crystal Dugay
Kathi Cotugno, CORE coordinator
Other Board members:
Margaret Doody
Stan Strzempko MD
WE KEEP WORKING TO KEEP YOU SAFE.
Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Avoid gatherings.
Stay home. Save lives.
Look for us in next Saturday’s edition.
