CONWAY — As of Thursday afternoon, the town had received notification via the Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiological Network (MAVEN) that one Conway resident has tested positive for COVID-19.
The notice of the first reported case in town was posted to the Conway Board of Health section of the town website, which provides residents with up-to-date information on the COVID-19 pandemic and the precautions they can take to prevent the spread of the virus.
Once a case is reported to the town, the Board of Health — which doesn’t receive any information on the individual or where he or she lives — isn’t alerted again until the person leaves quarantine or isolation, said Board of Health Director Carle Nelke.
Nelke said the potential impact of the virus on Conway can only be speculated.
“This is the first time something like this has ever happened, so we can’t really know exactly what’s going to go on,” he said. “Speculation is ranging from a very small to moderate amount of impact the coronavirus will have here.”
Nelke said residents can protect themselves from the virus by washing their hands regularly, avoiding crowds, wearing masks and avoiding touching their faces.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.