Masks recommended as Franklin County enters high risk of COVID-19 infections

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Several communities are listed at a high level of risk for COVID-19 infections, according to the City of Greenfield.

Residents in Greenfield, Montague, Deerfield, and Sunderland are at high risk due to the surge in COVID-19 detected in wastewater, cases, and cluster events. The City of Greenfield recommends residents in these communities wear masks to help prevent the spread.

The opening of schools and a new COVID-19 variant, BA.2.86, are some factors impacting the surge in COVID-19 cases. Officials reaffirmed the updated COVID-19 shots made by Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax are expected to rollout in mid-September.

COVID-19 symptoms

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, when in combination with other symptoms
• Headache, when in combination with other symptoms
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies), when in combination with other symptoms