Board of Health

We have recently seen an uptick in Covid-19 cases with the new strain circulating in Hamilton and all communities in MA.

Symptoms remain the same with a little more severity for most than recent strains. Symptoms include allergy like or cold like symptoms: nasal congestion, post nasal drip, scratchy throat, headache, cough, increase tiredness as well as achiness and possibly a fever (most do not have a fever). Occasionally, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur, mostly seen in younger children, but can occur with anyone.  People may have a few of these symptoms or all of them.

If you have any allergy like or cold like symptoms, you should home test 24 hours after the symptoms start.

If you are negative (but have the symptoms) you should test 2 other times, 24 hours apart (using the home test).   The reason for this is with those home tests, there has to be enough viral load in your system to turn positive. Testing too early can give you a “false” negative.

 Free home test kits are available at the Senior Center 

Reach out to your Public Health Nurse if you have questions: Judith Ryan 978-626-2150 or email her at [email protected]

COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC UPDATE:

Public Health clinics for the flu and bivalant boosters have ended. Residents are encouraged to seek vaccines from their health care provider or health care clinic.  If a resident can’t receive one elsewhere they can call the Public Health Nurse.

Vaccine and booster shots are available at CVS https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine and Walgreens https://walgreens.com/_

*Click on the links below for more information about COVID-19 Booster Shots:

COVID-19 booster frequently asked questions | Mass.gov

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC

Click here for all COVID-19 Information including testing and vacinations ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mission Statement

The Board of Health is responsible for the overall stewardship of the public health and environmental protection of the town. Responsibilities are defined both by local by-laws and state law. The Board promotes, enacts, and enforces all health and environmental laws, rules and regulations.

Additionally the Board of Health conducts health clinics, participates in education programs wherever possible and administers the contracts for a food inspection program, a public health nurse, communicable disease follow-up program, and animal inspection services.