Board of Health

COVID-19

The Town continues to closely monitor evolving developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Residents are urged to follow the recommendations regarding good hygiene and personal action issued by the CDC and the MA Department of Public Health. This page will be updated and communicated to the Manchester community as facts change.

November 18, 2022
WEEKLY DATA

(Updated on Thursday)
PCR Positive Tests Reported by MA DPH
11/18/22 - Manchester Total COVID Positive Cases to Date (Since March 2020): 852
Active Cases on 11/16/22: 0 (Active cases are a snapshot at time of reporting.)

MBTS Vaccination Rates as of 11/18/22: 
Residents Ages 6 Months and Up: 75% Fully Vaccinated 
Positivity Rate in Essex County (2 Week Period reported on 11/17): 5.54% (Last week: 5.86%)

Positive COVID Test? Here's what to do:
CDC Isolation Guidance 
CDC Exposure Guidance

Monthly COVID Reports

October 2022 COVID Report
September 2022 COVID Report
August 2022 COVID Report
July 2022 COVID Report
June 2022 COVID Report
May 2022 COVID Report
April 2022 COVID Report
March 2022 COVID Report
February 2022 COVID Report
January 2022 COVID Report
December 2021 COVID Report
November 2021 COVID Report

Vaccine Information

The Town of Manchester has joined the Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative (GCACC) to offer COVID Vaccines to anyone Ages 6 months and up. Dates will be added on a rolling basis. Registration is encouraged but walk ins are welcome. Learn more and book an appointment at capeannclinic.com

Booster Shots 

Who Should Get the New Booster? Anyone age 12 or older who completed a primary COVID-19 vaccination series or received a booster dose at least two months ago is eligible to get a booster.   

Your booster does not need to be the same vaccine brand as your original COVID-19 vaccination, but does need to be age appropriate (currently Pfizer for ages 12 through 17 years, and either Pfizer or Moderna for ages 18 and older). 

Where Can I Get a Booster? Manchester Board of Health will host COVID Clinics for ages 12+ at Town Hall with GCACC on October 17, November 7, November 21 and December 5. Register at Capeannclinic.com. 

Or... Use VaxFinder to find a pharmacy or other location to get your booster.

DPH Booster Information

Free COVID Home Test Kits

Up to 4 boxes per household
Pick up at Town Hall Board of Health Office (on the counter)
While supplies last!
Register Here

COVID-19 Metrics

Board of Health Sets COVID Enforcement Policy

On December 23, 2021, the Board of Health voted to adopt a metric and enforcement policy in the event that future mask mandates are activated. 
COVID Metrics and Enforcement Policy

Board of Health Sets New COVID Metrics

On December 9, 2021, the Board of Health voted to approve a new COVID metric that the Town will use to determine the need for future actions. A mask mandate will be considered if active MBTS COVID cases reach 25 and/or the positivity rate in Essex County reaches 15%.

Massachusetts Homebound Vaccine Program

The Commonwealth is working with local Boards of Health and developed a statewide program to offer in-home vaccinations for homebound individuals who cannot leave their home to get to a vaccination site for any reason.

Eligible Manchester residents should call 1-833-983-0485 Monday – Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to be screened for an in-home appointment. More Information

Coronavirus Cleaning and Hygiene Tips

Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses: Practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily using a regular household detergent and water.

Hazardous Waste Day

The next collection day: TBA

Details: The Board of Health has brought back HWD with a new vendor, fee schedule and location. This new program will be held approximately three times per year, to allow residents more frequent and convenient opportunities for disposal of household hazardous waste. The new collection days will be jointly funded by both the Board of Health and the participating residents.

How to Register: Residents will register directly online with our vendor, ACV Environmental. That registration will include a by weight charge for acceptable items, with up to 25 pounds or gallons of waste allowed for collection. Residents will need to provide information on the items and quantity of items they have for collection. 
*If you do not receive an email confirmation, you are not registered. 

Collection Day: On Wednesday, September 28 ACV Environmental will pick up the household hazardous waste directly at the homes of the residents who have completed the online registration. This will eliminate the need for residents to transport their items to the Town for collection.

Monkeypox Advisory from DPH

MA DPH Health Advisory 5.20.22

Mosquito Control

Manchester residents who wish to exclude their property from applications performed by the Northeast Mosquito Control District may do so by filing their request directly with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (not the Town or Mosquito Control).  Requests take effect 14 days from the date the request is received by their department.  All exclusion requests expire on December 31 of the calendar year in which they are made. 

To file a property exclusion under 333 CMR Section 13.03, please click here.

For information on the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District, please visit: https://www.nemassmosquito.org/

Food Safety - What to do when the power goes out?

  1. Food Safety - When The Power Goes Out

Beach Water Testing 

All public bathing beaches are tested weekly from Memorial Day through Labor Day. This includes: Singing Beach, White Beach, Black Beach, Gray Beach, Tucks Point and West Manchester Beach. 

State bathing beach water quality testing requirements are as follows: 
- Single Count Bacteria Test – must be under 104
- A geomean average (of last 5 tests) – must be under 35

Related Documents


  1. Helpful Information on Tics and Disease Control
  2. Mosquito Control Tips
  3. Potassium Iodide Dispensing Information (PDF)
  4. Septic Loan Program Information
  5. Soil Test Application (PDF)
  6. The Flu and the Best Ways to Keep Your Family Healthy
  7. Environmental Tobacco Regulations, Amended 06_22_2017
  8. Septic Loan Application Form
  9. Keeping of Animals Permit Application
  10. Mass DPH Information - How to Protect Yourself From Ticks
  11. Complaint Form Master
  12. Keeping of Animals Regulations
  1. https---www.mass.gov-info-details-what-should-i-know-about-flu.url

Links