Health

Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Board of Health have updated New Bedford’s strong public health measures to protect senior living facilities, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities. Under an updated emergency order in effect August 24, visitation is allowed by appointment only and a daily log must be maintained at …

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the New Bedford Health Department of a skunk that has tested positive for rabies in the area of the “Poor Farm,” located at the corner of Brock Avenue and Coral Street in the far South End of New Bedford.   The …

An algae bloom has been detected at Sassaquin Pond, and residents and pets are advised to avoid direct contact with the water including wading or swimming until lab results can rule out the presence of dangerous bacteria. Cyanobacteria occurs naturally in freshwater, mostly in late summer and early fall in …

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has mandated required flu shots by Dec. 31 for all students 6 months or older who attend child care, pre-school, school and college throughout the state. Officials stated concern for the high risk to the public if they were to catch both COVID-19 with …

No one under 20 years old has died from COVID-19 in Massachusetts. Say it with me again, no one under 20 years old has died from COVID-19 in Massachusetts. This needs repeating because there is a panic in Massachusetts that if you send your child to school this year it …

Gov. Charlie Baker has had enough of people holding large private gatherings and disregarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies like social distancing. So on Friday, he indefinitely paused the state’s economic reopening, lowered the outdoor gathering limit, and empowered the police to enforce coronavirus-related orders. Amid reports of large parties and unauthorized …

The following was published by the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department: “Here is why, we think, it is a good idea for the state to allow the free COVID test van to come to Acushnet, if even just once: On Wednesday afternoons, usually around 4:00pm, the state releases data which …

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in Plymouth County for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in mosquito samples collected on July 13 from a …

Ninth Year of Free Outdoor Fitness Classes. Attendees are required to wear masks and social distance. Nine years and counting! During these uncertain times, one thing is for sure — we are looking forward to being outside getting fresh air and exercise in a safe way. The South Coast community …

Michael P. Norton State House News Service The number of African Americans donating blood with the Red Cross has dropped by more than half since the COVID-19 outbreak began in mid-March, and African American donors are critically needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease, according to the Massachusetts Health …