11 Norwood town officials to self quarantine after coming into contact with coronavirus-positive patient

NORWOOD, Mass. — Norwood town officials were notified on Friday that a person who attended a private event with town officials and employees last weekend has tested positive for COVID-19.

The person who tested positive for COVID-19 is not a town employee or town official, but is a resident of the town. Their identity is not being released at this time.

As a result, 11 town officials and employees will self-quarantine for 14 days as a means to help curb the spread of the virus. Anyone who becomes asymptomatic after that will be eligible to return to work. In the meantime, those under quarantine will work remotely.

Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco was among the several town officials and employees who were at the event. Mazzucco developed cold-like symptoms this week and as a result, out of an abundance of caution, he was tested for COVID-19 earlier this evening.

Aside from Mazzucco, the names of those who are self quarantining are not being released because of federal health and privacy regulations and at the advice of town’s legal counsel.

Mazzucco will continue to execute his duties as the town’s general manager while working remotely from home, and the town will continue to operate as normal, and Town Hall being open during normal business hours.

“I am following the instructions of state and local public health officials and I want to thank the Norwood Health Department for their guidance in this matter,” Mazzucco said.

There were a total of 30 people at the event, and all have been contacted by their local health department officials to be informed of the need to self-quarantine and monitor their symptoms. Aside from Mazzucco, the town is aware of one other resident, that is not a town employee or town official, that will need to be tested after displaying symptoms.

The risk to residents of contracting COVID-19 remains low, and the flu presents a higher risk to residents overall, according to the DPH.

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