Fall River will be in red again tomorrow for COVID-19, residents going out after testing positive

Mayor Coogan pressed Fall River residents to make the right efforts during the current COVID-19 pandemic or the city will face the consequences.

In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Coogan and other city officials implored the City of Fall River to take the proper actions to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

“We are going to be in the red again tomorrow. I want to first though assure the residents of this city that we are on top of this.”

He went on to say that officials and members of the administration are making sure they are staying on top of COVID-19 and that the City is properly funded and have what supplies are needed.

“Fall River has done about 50,000 tests. I encourage residents to take advantage of free testing.”

Coogan stated that the increase in cases is not an outburst, but has been a gradual increase. He also understands with the winter months coming and the holidays, that it could be a challenging time in the battle against the illness.

“The next few months are going to be extremely difficult.”

The city is in danger of going backwards in re-opening if the city stays red for three straight weeks.

“Please Hunker down and be extra careful over the next few weeks. Hopefully this will keep us from staying in the red for a third straight week.”

He made it clear of some of the consequences if Fall River doesn’t get a handle on COVID-19.

“State guidance can and will get tougher which will hurt businesses and our entire community.”

The Mayor reiterated the call to follow protocols such as washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, staying home if you are sick, and taking contact tracing phone calls.

Coogan stated that children are being sent to school and residents are going to work after testing positive for COVID-19.

“We have parents testing positive for COVID that are sending children to school.”

Mayor Coogan also remarked that when residents are accepting phone calls from contact tracers, they are hanging up on them.

Tess Curran, Director of Health and Human Services, echoed much of Coogan’s comments and stated people are working tirelessly.

“The actions of a few can impact many. The Health Department is seeing a lot of cases related to individuals going out when they are sick.”

Curran also reiterated residents to avoid touching their face in addition to the other protocols.

Dani Hackner, Chief Clinical Officer & Goodspeed Chair for Quality and Safety, Southcoast Hospitals Group; Physician in Chief, Southcoast Physicians Group, encouraged sick individuals to get care as early as possible and also to focus on the fundamentals.

“Don’t gather, wear masks at work and when you are on the streets. Hand washing and wearing masks are essential. If you seek care early you are much more less like to have an adverse event such as ending up on a ventilator.”

Hackner stated that there is a light at the end of the tunnel such as progress being made on a COVID-19 vaccine.

Kandace Viera, Director Quality, Regulatory, and Patient Safety, also hopped on residents doing the basics and made clear of the safety protocols at the hospital, as difficult as they may be. Visitors are being limited and patients are being screened when they enter St. Anne’s Hospital in addition to the typical PPE and emergency room measures. Viera also encouraged everyone to get the flu shot.

School Superintendent Matthew Malone stated that the city initially handled more students than any other district in the state (3,600) and commended all involved who are working around the clock getting students fed and educated. Malone also stated that the school system would re-evaluate at week 4 in the red, if applicable, and that the amount of COVID-19 cases in the system has been very low.

Malone stated there have been 12 positive adults and one students in the last two weeks.

“A positive case leads to others being quarantined.”

Rep. Schmid, Rep. Fiola, and Rep. Silvia mentioned that they are doing their very best to keep resources and services flowing and that residents should follow the protocols.

When fielding questions, Coogan stated that the homeless program has been expanded due to the spread of COVID-19.

Curran stated that in addition to residents going to work sick, the major reason for COVID-19 cases in the city is small gatherings of friend and family.

Fall River surpasses 2,300 COVID-19 cases.