BERNARDSTON — As of Wednesday, the town had received notification via the Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ Cooperative Public Health Service of one Bernardston resident who has tested positive for COVID-19.
“That’s one too many,” commented Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Peter Shedd.
The notice of the positive case was posted on the Emergency Management page of Bernardston’s town website, and Shedd spoke during Wednesday’s Selectboard meeting to provide an update on the town’s emergency preparedness. The Selectboard held its meeting with members sitting more than 6 feet apart inside Town Hall, and while the public could not attend, community members could view the meeting and provide comments via the Bernardston Northfield Community Television live stream.
While the town was notified of the single known case, Shedd said he does not know who the individual is.
“Bottom line is they’re not really sharing any of (that information) with us,” Shedd said. “I can truthfully answer saying that I do not know who in town has it and who doesn’t.”
Shedd said the information the town is receiving from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the state is “pretty sketchy,” and sometimes updates are not being provided in a timely manner. Shedd expressed frustration with the fact that it’s taking up to two days for COVID-19 test results to come back.
He noted that any first responders or town officials that need to interact with the public are using as many protective measures as possible. While the town was running low on its supply of masks, Shedd said more are being delivered by the state.
Shedd also noted that the regular flu is still being passed around, and that it can be concerning for residents experiencing symptoms shared by the flu and COVID-19.
“The symptoms are close,” Shedd said. “Everybody seems to cough and all of a sudden they think they have the virus.”
According to Shedd, testing sites are starting to be established in Western Massachusetts. A free testing site, which opened at the Big E fairgrounds on Thursday, will be primarily used for testing first responders. Shedd noted anyone getting tested will need to schedule an appointment and bring identification or documentation proving they are a first responder.
Additionally, Shedd said there are quarantine or isolation sites being established in Western Massachusetts. Fire and police chiefs for varying departments have coordinated hotel rooms for first responders who test positive for COVID-19. This gives them somewhere to stay instead of going home and risking infecting their families.
For most health-related emergency calls in Bernardston, Northfield EMS will respond, along with members of the Bernardston Fire Department. Shedd said the Fire Department is limiting the number of members entering homes and, if possible, will have one member walk the patient outside and provide them with a mask.
The Bernardston Fire Department, according to Shedd, recently created a disinfectant spray system to clean its vehicles, equipment and station. He said the department made its own machine for about $150 by purchasing the antiseptic material, which is diluted per protocol, and adapting a paint spray gun to be attached to an air tank backpack.
“You just put the air pack on your back and you can spray the whole truck down, inside and out,” Shedd said.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.