The coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) is a contagious disease that is infecting people across the United States. This webpage will provide Brewster residents with information about Town activities related to the coronavirus, as well as trustworthy sources of additional information.
What is Coronavirus and How Does It Spread?
Coronavirus is a respiratory infection that can be spread from one person to another. It appears to spread between people who are in close contact with each other (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Coronavirus Symptoms
This coronavirus (COVID-19) causes respiratory (lung) infection. Symptoms include:
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Fever
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Cough
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Shortness of breath
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In more serious case, pneumonia (a lung infection) may develop
Coronavirus Prevention
There are actions you and your family can take to protect yourselves from the coronavirus:
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Wash your hands frequently, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. If soap and water aren’t available, use hand sanitizer with an alcohol concentration of at least 60%
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Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
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Avoid contact with people who are sick.
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Stay home if you are sick.
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Put distance between yourself and others if we experience coronavirus in our community – especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick. Older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions are at higher risk.
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If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve.
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Routinely clean hard surfaces and areas where germs may collect.
Face Masks
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People who are not sick do not need facemasks.
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Face masks are needed to be worn by those who are sick to prevent them from spreading the virus.
Coronavirus Treatment
There are no treatments or vaccine for COVID-19. Patients can receive treatment to relieve symptoms - for example, medications for cough and fever.
Coronavirus Checklist for Getting Your Home Ready
Review this CDC guidance so your home is prepared. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/checklist-household-ready.html
Travel from High Risk Areas
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If you recently returned from travel to China, South Korea, Italy, or Iran, the CDC recommends that you self-quarantine for a period of fourteen (14) days from the date you left the country in question.
Coronavirus Information Resources
A Caution About Untrustworthy Coronavirus Information
Make sure you get your information from trusted sources, and that you follow guidance from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and the Brewster Health Department.
Self-Quarantine
In some cases, people may be directed to “self-quarantine” if they are suspected of having the coronavirus or recently traveled to a country with many cases.
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Self-quarantine (or home isolation) means you:
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Stay at home except for getting medical care.
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Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, and taxis.
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Stay away from other people and pets in your home and use a separate bathroom if possible.
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No visitors should come to your home.
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If you need medical care, call ahead for guidance unless it is an emergency.
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Avoid sharing household items.
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Wash your hands frequently.
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Wear a facemask if around other people.
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Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue.
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Monitor for any symptoms, or worsening symptoms.
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Discontinue self-quarantine only in consultation with a health care provided.
The Brewster Health Department
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If you have questions about the coronavirus, contact the Brewster Health Department at (508) 896-3701 ext. 1120 or by email.
Amy von Hone, Health Director
avonhone@brewster-ma.gov
Sherrie McCullough, Assistant Health Director
smccullough@brewster-ma.gov
Tammi Mason, Senior Department Assistant
tmason@brewster-ma.gov
Town of Brewster, Massachusetts – The Town of Brewster will limit parking at the Brewster Herring Run and Grist Mill, 830 Stony Brook Road, to six (6) spaces during the coronavirus pandemic. Five (5) standard parking spaces and one (1) handicapped-designated space will be available. Restricted parking will begin Saturday, March 28 and remain in effect until further notice.
The Brewster herring run traditionally welcomes hundreds of visitors while the herring are running from late March or early April through early summer. Action to limit parking is necessary because paths at the herring run and grist mill are narrow, space to move about freely is limited, and the area is known to become congested while the herring are running.
Visitors to the herring run during the pandemic are asked to respect social distance guidelines and keep at least six (6) feet from other visitors, as well as following other public health guidance.
The Town regrets it is necessary to limit the number of visitors to the herring run, but the public’s health and well-being are the first priority. Steps like this will help limit the spread of the coronavirus.
BARNSTABLE (MA) March 27, 2020 – The Barnstable County Regional Emergency Planning Committee (BCREPC) held a conference call on Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. to review the current COVID-19 conditions and to discuss ongoing response efforts in the county. Individuals present on the call included over 100 representatives from agencies across Cape Cod’s 15 towns and Nantucket, including elected officials and representatives from Cape Cod Healthcare.
Read more: Barnstable County Continues to Prepare for Increased Number of COVID-19 Cases
The Town of Brewster is committed to seeing that Brewster residents have access to sufficient food during the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted how many people obtain food, but local assistance is available to those in need. If you don’t need assistance but can share what you have, please consider donating to one of the local food pantries. Please call first for guidance on how to donate.
Town of Brewster, Massachusetts – The Town of Brewster urges those who have recently returned or are planning to return to Brewster from New York or any other out-of-state areas with high incidence rates of COVID-19 to self-isolate in their homes for a period of fourteen (14) days. This action is consistent with a White House Coronavirus Task Force recommendation and a Barnstable County advisory issued yesterday.
This voluntary self-isolation, out of an abundance of caution, is necessary because New York City is the current epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and since incidence rates across the country are accelerating at alarming rates. Self-isolation for 14 days will help curb the spread of the disease in Brewster and across the Cape, and it will reduce the burden on our critical infrastructure, including first responders, hospitals, and health care workers.
We strongly urge all new arrivals to Brewster to take special steps to distance themselves when buying groceries or undertaking other essential activities in our community. New arrivals should practice social distancing, avoid group gatherings, monitor their health, and contact a health care provider if symptoms such as fever with cough or shortness of breath occur.
For more information about testing and how to protect yourself and others from this highly contagious disease, please visit:
You may call the Massachusetts non-emergency information phone line by dialing 211.