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Pandemic Information
NOTICE: VACCINATION SITE CHANGED STOREFRONT (STILL LOCATED IN SHAWS PLAZA BUT NOW AT 47 MEMORIAL PARKWAY)
Covid-19 Self Isolation and Quarantine Requirements
NEW COVID-19 TREATMENT HOTLINE: Tested positive for COVID-19? Telehealth is a quick and free way to see if you’re eligible for COVID-19 treatment. You can access telehealth services by calling 833-273-6330 or by completing an online assessment at mass.gov/CovidTelehealth. Clinicians are available every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM EST. This service is not for medical emergencies or those who have severe chest pain or shortness of breath. Learn more here.
On August 15, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health updated Covid-19 guidance regarding isolation and quarantine periods for the general population. The Town of Randolph Public Health Department and Board of Health have adopted the updated guidance.
If you test positive for Covid-19, (either a rapid antigen home test or PCR test) stay home and isolate for at least the first 5 days; (you are probably most infectious during these 5 days). If you never had symptoms or symptoms are improving,* you may end your isolation on day 6. Wear a mask around others for 5 days (including in the household). You may remove your mask prior to day 11, if you have had two negative rapid antigen home tests taken 48 hours apart.
Below, you will find a summary of the Self-Isolation and Quarantine Requirements. Further details can be found at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-isolation-and-exposure-guidance-for-the-general-public.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If you have no symptoms after 5 days, you can leave your house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
Note: Anyone that tests positive must isolate, regardless of vaccination status.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)
- If you were exposed and develop symptoms, isolate and take a test and stay home until you know the result.
- If the result is positive, follow isolation protocols.
- If your test is negative or if you have remained asymptomatic, take a test on day 6.
A person who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay away from other people. This is called Self Isolating or Self Isolation. You are required to self-isolate (separate yourself) from other people for at least five, (five) days. If you have a fever, continue to isolate until it is gone. Continue to wear a face covering for an additional 5 days after coming out of isolation.
Note: If you have or develop symptoms, continue to stay home, until you have not had a fever for 24-hours without the use of fever reducing medicine and your other symptoms are improving. If you were severely ill (were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you should consult your healthcare provider before leaving isolation.
Day Number | Requirements |
Day 0 | First day of symptoms OR day the positive test was taken, whichever is earlier |
Days 1-4 | Continue to isolate. |
Day 5 | Last day of isolation if asymptomatic or symptoms are improving |
Day 6 | Leave isolation (if you are able to wear a mask at all times when around other people, including in your household, through day 10). You may remove your mask prior to day 10, if you have had two negative tests taken 48 hours apart. |
Note: | After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. |
Below, you will find common examples of what you cannot do while you are in isolation:
- You cannot leave your apartment or home for any reason.
- You cannot go food shopping.
- You cannot go to work.
- You cannot leave your apartment to do laundry.
- You cannot go out to eat in a restaurant.
- You cannot drive in a car with other people.
- You cannot go to church.
- You cannot have visitors in your home or apartment.
- You cannot be vaccinated until symptom free and you have been released from Isolation.
Common Questions & Answers
If I am vaccinated and I test positive, do I still need to isolate?
Yes. A vaccinated person, including a person who is boosted, who tests positive must isolate. Note: vaccination will not make you test positive for COVID-19.
How do I get food or fill prescriptions at the house if I am in Isolation?
You may order food delivered or prescriptions delivered to your apartment or home. Do not interact with the delivery person. If you need help in getting food, contact the Randolph Health Department.
I live in an apartment building with a common laundry room, how do I do the laundry if I am in Isolation?
You cannot leave your apartment to do laundry in the common laundry room.
How does Covid-19 spread in my apartment or home?
COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact through respiratory droplets, created when someone talks, coughs or sneezes. If you are Covid-19 positive, stay away from others helps stop the spread of COVID-19.
How do I take care of my Pet if I am Covid-19 positive?
Limit your contact between the person who is sick and their pet(s) when possible. Ask a friend of family member to take care of your pet until you recover.
What If I need help because I cannot go to work?
Contact the Randolph Public Health Department to learn about resources that may be available for you to safely isolate at home or in your apartment.
When can I get vaccinated after being positive?
You may get vaccinated for Covid-19 when you recover and are released from Isolation.
How do I set up a Sick Room in my house or apartment to keep other people safe from Covid-19?
Have the person who is sick use a separate bedroom and bathroom and have the person who is sick stay in their own “sick room”
- Sleep separately. Make sure the infected person has a separate bed or separate area of the home to sleep in, away from all the other people living in the household. Do not share a bed with anyone else in the home.
- Physical distancing. Maintain physical distance from the other members of the household, so that you do not risk getting anyone else sick. The person who has COVID-19 must wear a face covering or mask at home when around anyone else. Caregivers and other members of the household must also wear face coverings in the home when around the infected person.
- Clean the bathroom after every use. Each time after using the bathroom, the person who is sick must clean and wipe down all areas with a household disinfectant. If the person who is sick cannot clean up, others in the home must wait as long as possible after the infected person has used the bathroom, put on a mask, and then go in and clean up before using it themselves.
- Wash your hands. Maintain really good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap is not available, you can use waterless hand sanitizer.
- Eat and cook alone. Make sure the person who is sick drinks a lot of fluids and rests. If you are preparing your own food, do it on your own, away from others living in the home and at a time when others are not in the kitchen. When you eat your meals you should eat by yourself as well. Clean and disinfect any areas you came into contact with when finished. Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware used by the person who is sick with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
- Ventilation. Open the window to increase air circulation. In the sleeping area of the Covid-19 positive person, keep a window open and use a fan pointing to the open window to draw air out of the bedroom and into the open environment. This will help stop aerosolized virus from leaving the “sick room” and entering the space occupied by other people in the dwelling that are not sick. Make sure all rooms have good air flow. Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.
- No visitors to the sick room. Only caregivers can enter the “sick room.” No visitors.
If you have any questions, please contact the Randolph Public Health Department office at (781) 961-0924 or by email at gcody@randolph-ma.gov.
Gerard F. Cody, REHS/RS
Public Health Commissioner
Free Covid-19 Rapid Test Kits are being offered through the department of health and human services. Always read instructions and make note of expiration dates on these test kits. You can pick up 2 kits at the Randolph Public Health Office during regular business hours or sign up to receive yours in the mail at: https://www.covidtests.gov/
Free Covid-19 Test Kits are available through the Biden Covid Act, which is administered privately and sent directly to residents home and billed to your insurance, please visit https://freshstartmedical.com/get-free-covid-tests-at-home/?affid=GPC
Please take a minute to review and let me know if you have any questions.
The link can easily be placed on your home page of each city.
Residents will receive these before the Baker test kits are received in your town. Once the 3.5 million are delivered there might not be any more distributions. This program ships test kits every month to every subscriber .
Older Americans with Medicare Part B (medical insurance), including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, can receive up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month - at no cost from participating pharmacies and health care providers for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. For more information including the list of participating pharmacies: https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirus.
Free N95 Masks are being provided to local pharmacies and health centers in Randolph, both CVS and Walgreens will have masks.
If you do not have access to a computer
Individuals that do not have access to the internet may contact the departments listed below for your community, and they will assist you over the phone. You may also call the State 2-1-1 number for assistance.
The Randolph Intergenerational Community Center- 781-961-0930 ext. 1
The Turner Free Library- 781-961-0932 ext. 2
Randolph Board of Health- 781-961-0924 or email: covidinfo@randolph-ma.gov
HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS
In-home vaccinations are available to individuals who are not able to leave their home to get to a vaccination site, even with assistance.
Call 781-961-0924 to make an appointment.
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Local Boards of Health:
Local Boards of Health were informed of the Commonwealth’s streamlined vaccination distribution plan that prioritizes equity and high-capacity throughput vaccination, particularly as vaccine supply from the federal government remains extremely constrained.
This streamlined distribution plan will increase vaccine access at high throughput vaccination locations such as mass vaccination sites or regional sites and at pharmacy sites. In addition to increasing efficiency in administering the vaccine, the Commonwealth will ensure that the program is equitable and meets the needs of communities that have been the most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Utilizing the social vulnerability index as a starting point, the Department of Public Health has identified 20 municipalities that have had the greatest COVID burden and have the greatest per centage of non- white residents. These municipalities are: Boston; Brockton; Chelsea; Everett; Fall River; Fitchburg; Framingham; Haverhill; Holyoke; Lawrence; Leominster; Lowell; Lynn; Malden; Methuen; New Bedford; Randolph; Revere; Springfield; and Worcester.
These municipalities will continue to distribute vaccine at the local level, are prioritized for the retail pharmacy program, and are served by community health centers and other health care providers administering vaccine.
Local Boards of Health will continue to play a crucial role in our collective plan to curb COVID-19. The Administration is asking Local Boards of Health to support these critical objectives:
Planning to vaccinate homebound individuals in their community and older adults in private and public low income and affordable housing.
Encourage residents to get vaccinated at mass vaccination sites, retail pharmacies and other locations that are open to all residents.
Increase vaccine awareness of safety and efficacy so that when the Commonwealth does have more incoming vaccine from the Federal Government, and as more groups become eligible, communities are ready and willing to accept vaccine.
Additional Information:
- Masks are required
- Wear a loose fitting short sleeve shirt. Do not wear a turtle neck, sweater or sweatshirt.
- Remove your winter coat if applicable.
- Please do not arrive before your appointment.
- If you receive the Pfizer vaccine, which is a 2-dose series, and you should receive your 2nd dose approximately 21 days after you have received your 1st dose.
- The whole process can take up to 60 minutes, from start to end.
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms on the day of your vaccination, you will need to reschedule your appointment.
Commonly Asked Questions:
Any health related questions (i.e. should I get the vaccine if?) please refer to your primary care physician, hospital or clinic you are affiliated with.
What if I can’t get there and I need a ride? - Call the Senior Center Transportation line at 781-961-0930 x2 for assistance in booking a senior services van ride (only available Mon-Fri and limited - just for Randolph seniors), otherwise we recommend The RIDE at 888-844-0355
Can I get my vaccine elsewhere? - Yes, however you must ensure you get the same vaccine for your first and 2nd dose (Pfizer or Moderna)
How do I know what vaccine I was given? - You receive a vaccination card at the time of your first vaccine dose with the date, location, and type of vaccine given.
How do I track any symptoms I may have after getting my vaccine? – The CDC has the V-Safe after vaccination symptom checker. The website is https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html
If you have more questions, please email: covidinfo@randolph-ma.gov
For a Fact sheet on the Pfizer Vaccine: https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download
Second Dose:
How do I get my 2nd dose? – Those vaccinated must wait at least 21 days prior to receiving the second dose (for Pfizer). You will register for your 2nd dose in the observation area while you wait after your first dose, if you have a smartphone please bring it to use, otherwise assistance will be provided. If you reach 21 days and have not heard, please call your Board of Health - 781-961-0924
If you have any questions, please contact the Randolph Board of Health at 781-961-0924 or at gcody@randolph-ma.gov]
Click Here to View Community Resources for Randolph Residents
COVID INFO
Booster Shots: Click Here to Check Eligibility
MA Digital Vaccine Card: Click Here For Info
TESTING AND VACCINATIONS AT 47 Memorial Parkway - this is a walk-in site, appointments are suggested but not required
Vaccinations are available Monday-Friday from 8am-1pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm- Click Here to Register in Advance
Testing is available Monday through Friday, from 2pm-7pm: Click Here Register in Advance
Pediatric Vaccines: See Calendar
If you do not receive your test results from this Randolph Stop the Spread location, you can email Covid_results@cataldoambulance.com or call Cataldo Ambulance at 844-422-8253 with any questions.
YOU MUST BRING YOUR VACCINATION CARD WITH YOU IF THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE.
Vaccine Outreach & Equity Committee: any questions, email covidinfo@randolph-ma.gov
Click Here for State Vaccination Data