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Norwood Board reports spike in flu cases, advises precautions; board appoints regional public health nurse
Summary
Board of Health Director reported higher flu cases than last year and warned of neurological complications in some pediatric cases; the board appointed Kristen McIntyre as a regional public health nurse and reviewed guidance on RSV and norovirus.
Board of Health Director Stacy reported a sharp increase in influenza cases at the Feb. 24 meeting and urged continued precautions, while the board appointed Kristen McIntyre as a regional public health nurse.
Stacy told members that flu case counts this winter remain well above last year's levels. The board received a clinical advisory noting that clinicians are seeing neurological complications, including encephalitis and seizures, in a small number of pediatric patients. The director and staff emphasized standard precautions: stay home if ill, mask and isolate when symptomatic for respiratory viruses (including COVID, influenza and RSV), and consult a clinician for testing when appropriate.
The board discussed norovirus activity and reinforced hand‑washing and surface‑disinfection guidance: staff said alcohol‑based hand rub (Purell) does not kill norovirus and advised washing hands with soap and water and using a bleach solution on high‑touch surfaces with a dwell time of five to 10 minutes before rinsing.
Board members noted that the health department does not carry RSV or flu test kits for public distribution; symptomatic residents should seek testing from their healthcare provider. The board gave the phone number for the regional public health nurse at (781) 384‑9195 for local assistance and follow‑up.
The board also voted to appoint Kristen McIntyre as a regional public health nurse shared among seven communities; McIntyre's background was described as including hematology‑oncology experience, laboratory science training and work with COVID response.
Stacy closed by noting the town's outreach around hospital recovery efforts and offered condolences to the family of a longtime school nurse who had worked with public health.
