By Justin Roshak, Contributing Writer
HUDSON – The worsening COVID-19 surge has hit Hudson, officials say.
Speaking at an Aug. 9 Select Board meeting, Select Board members and Director of Public and Community Health Kelli Calo weighed in on the local situation.
“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, huh?” joked Select Board Chair Scott Duplisea.
With cases on the rise, Calo noted that her office had resumed its weekly coronavirus reports. Released throughout the pandemic, those reports share key data on the virus’ prevalence and spread in Hudson.
“It’s good that you started the notifications back up,” Board member Shawn Sadowski noted. “People just want to know.”
“A more informed community is a smarter community,” Calo said.
Hudson has seen a total of 1,665 cases since early 2020. That’s about nine percent of the town’s 19,063 residents.
There were twelve new cases in the week preceding Aug. 9, Calo said, more than double the average seen in June when weekly cases were in single digits. There have been a total of eleven deaths in town due to COVID-19.
“If you are vaccinated, indoors, you should wear a face-covering if you’re at higher risk for COVID due to your age and medical condition, etc.,” Calo said. “Unvaccinated individuals should continue wearing their masks.”
As of Aug. 12, state data showed 65 percent of Hudson residents were fully vaccinated, while 74 percent had at least one.
“I’d really love to see more people get vaccinated,” Calo said.
She also noted that citizens might be encouraged to get a new booster shot in September or October.
“We hope the community stays safe and gets tested when they feel sick,” Calo said. “We’ll get through it.”
Learn more about testing and vaccination options at www.hudsonhealthdept.org/coronavirus.
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