Local and local-ish COVID-19 updates
Apr. 29th, 2020 08:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeAs of 4PM this afternoon, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 252 more deaths from COVID-19 (for a total of 3,405 to date), 1,963 new cases (for a total of 60,265) and 11,118 more tests performed (for a total of 265,618).
That's the highest daily death total yet, breaking last Wednesday's record.
This week's state report of cases and rates broken out on a town-by-town basis lists Acton as having 74 confirmed cases, for a rate of 311.81 cases per 100k residents; while that's up a lot from last week, it's still relatively good compared to the statewide total of 60,265 cases (865.03 cases per 100k residents).
In non-local COVID-19 news, I found out that the White Mountain National Forest has closed most of the main trailheads, parking lots and campsites on the forest, because so many people are driving to the WMNF and ignoring social-distancing guidelines.
The list of closed facilities includes, as near as I can tell, all the Appalachian Trail campsites, as well as most of the major trailheads. (Appalachian Mountain Club facilities are also all closed.)
The town of Acton has not posted an update so far today. Yesterday's update reported a total of 71 confirmed cases (up from 67 the day before), with "31 cases in isolation that are actively being monitored."
That's the highest daily death total yet, breaking last Wednesday's record.
This week's state report of cases and rates broken out on a town-by-town basis lists Acton as having 74 confirmed cases, for a rate of 311.81 cases per 100k residents; while that's up a lot from last week, it's still relatively good compared to the statewide total of 60,265 cases (865.03 cases per 100k residents).
In non-local COVID-19 news, I found out that the White Mountain National Forest has closed most of the main trailheads, parking lots and campsites on the forest, because so many people are driving to the WMNF and ignoring social-distancing guidelines.
There have been unseasonably high numbers of visitors to the National Forest resulting in increased potential for exposure to Coronavirus where visitors are not able or willing to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or with current federal, state and local guidance for physical distancing. In order to ensure such guidance from experts at the CDC, state and local for physical distancing, the White Mountain National Forest is shutting down some recreation sites and trailheads. Closing these areas will allow the Forest to assess our ability to do work safely, reduce the number of vehicles and congregation at trail heads, help control vandalism and to meet CDC guidance and cleaning standards. Trails would remain open, but only accessible by foot traffic in order to discourage long distance travel and to adhere to the State’s Stay Safe at Home orders. If you are able to walk to the trailhead without driving, you can access the trail. Parking on most roads is prohibited. Remember to pack out what you pack in.
The list of closed facilities includes, as near as I can tell, all the Appalachian Trail campsites, as well as most of the major trailheads. (Appalachian Mountain Club facilities are also all closed.)
The town of Acton has not posted an update so far today. Yesterday's update reported a total of 71 confirmed cases (up from 67 the day before), with "31 cases in isolation that are actively being monitored."