A letter from our CEO: COVID-19 Preparedness

March 12, 2020

To inform our Latham Centers Community about precautions in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak, we are sharing the letter sent to Latham families yesterday. Updates will be posted on our website main page as needed (click the link at the bottom of the page, “Update for Latham Families.”)

March 11, 2020

To Our Latham Families from Anne McManus, President & CEO:

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency yesterday in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), noting that “Responding to this evolving health threat requires everyone to be vigilant and for everyone to be part of this effort.”  Latham Centers continues to focus our efforts on education, prevention, and preparedness. To date, we have received no indication that the virus has been identified on Cape Cod or the Islands.

We are taking all precautions to ensure the safety of our students and residents. We are closely monitoring the developments related to COVID-19, following and/or consulting with:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)*

• The World Health Organization (WHO)

• The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH)

We continue to:

• Reinforce the importance of good hand and cough hygiene. (Washing hands for at least 20 seconds, covering your mouth when you cough, not touching eyes, noses, or mouths).

• Communicate with our staff regarding the importance of thoroughly disinfecting all high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, as well as staying home if sick.

• Stock all residential and office locations with proper cleaning and protective materials and increase availability and presence of hygiene supplies (tissues, hand sanitizer). 

• Ask that visitors not come to Latham sites if they are presenting with flu-like symptoms, or if they have recently traveled.

• Review information provided by the organizations noted above and implement best practices, including Program-specific education and prevention specific to risk level and current advisories from MA DPH and CDC.

We need continued parent/guardian partnership:

• If you have taken your child/adult out of Latham’s program (vacation, break, or scheduled visit) and your child/adult becomes ill with respiratory symptoms resulting in fever, body aches, shortness of breath, cough and runny nose, reach out immediately to the Director of Nursing (Children’s Services) or the Nursing Services Manager (Adult Services).

• We will provide updates to families as needed.

• *New information will be updated on the CDC Website as it becomes available.  We encourage you to keep current by regularly checking the CDC website for updates: 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html