#coronavirus

St. Patrick’s to livestream Holy Week services

St. Patrick’s Parish will livestream its Holy Week services to parishioners who are isolated at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Holy Thursday, April 9, St. Patrick’s will livestream Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, April...

Sewing hope: Wareham woman crafts masks for healthcare workers

As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, many hospitals and health care organizations are facing major shortages of personal protective equipment, or PPE, like gloves, masks, and face shields. And so, a Wareham woman decided to step up to help those in...
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Pandemic poses problems for town meetings, elections

In addition to health risks and economic hardship, the coronavirus pandemic poses problems for various town meetings and elections because it is no longer safe for people to gather in large crowds. Wareham’s Annual Town Meeting was scheduled for...

Playgrounds are closed as six Wareham residents diagnosed with coronavirus

A total of six Wareham residents have been diagnosed with coronavirus, and there are likely many more who have not been diagnosed. “More people are being tested and the cases will rise. This should be a strong reminder that COVID-19 is here and we...

Teachers log on for remote learning

On March 24, students showed up to class -- in their living rooms, bedrooms, and at kitchen tables across town. Until at least May 4, students will be learning remotely as schools are closed to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus. “The feedback...

Musician performs from a distance to entertain isolated audiences

As nursing home residents are isolated from family and friends, a Wareham woman is bringing them music from a safe distance. Bagpipes, Elizabeth Butts’ instrument of choice, are perfect for a socially distant concert, as the sound travels easily and...

First Wareham resident diagnosed with coronavirus

Someone in Wareham has been diagnosed with coronavirus, officials announced on March 27. Officials said that this positive case should be a reminder to all residents of the importance of social distancing. Additionally, the town is asking all part-...

Southcoast works to get more beds, educate public

As the number of people diagnosed with coronavirus continues to exponentially increase, Southcoast Health is working to dramatically increase the number of beds available at Tobey Hospital, buy more ventilators, and keep its front line staff healthy...

Southcoast prepares for influx of coronavirus patients

As Massachusetts and Plymouth County see a rising number of people testing positive for the coronavirus, officials at Tobey Hospital are preparing for what could be an onslaught of patients. All elective surgeries have been cancelled, and parent...

Selectmen urge public to stay home

The Board of Selectmen urged the public to take the growing coronavirus pandemic seriously and practice social distancing at their Tuesday night meeting. Chair Patrick Tropeano said that people should not be lulled into a false sense of security due...

‘Non-essential’ businesses to close

A second shutdown order from Governor Charlie Baker has closed yet more businesses in Wareham. The Monday order, which took effect at noon on Tuesday, closes all “non-essential” businesses, including non-food retailers, salons and barbershops, and...

Community group rallies to help those in need during pandemic

As businesses close and unemployment rises, a new community group is working to connect those in need with those who can help through mini food pantries around town. Community Youth Empowerment was started earlier this spring, and normally hosts...

Wareham, Onset Fire Departments close stations to public, adapt to pandemic

As part of the ongoing “social distancing” effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, both the Wareham and Onset Fire Departments have closed their stations to the public. Both departments have also limited fire inspections, and have taken...

Dispensary shoppers steady despite pandemic

As Wareham residents stock up on necessities and prepare to spend more time at home, some have noticed a long line of customers waiting outside Verilife, the marijuana retailer on Main Street. Although some customers might be there to stock up,...

School district provides information, resources during closure

Wareham Public Schools have canceled all school-related activities From March 16 to at least April 7 to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Since the schools closed down, students have started learning remotely from home, and teachers and staff...

Stores add shopping times for vulnerable customers

A number of stores are adjusting their hours during the pandemic, and some are adding times reserved for those who are more vulnerable to coronavirus. Stop & Shop is opening early to allow those over the age of 60 to shop while the store is...

Remote learning to begin Monday for students

Although schools are closed until April 6, teachers, staff, and administrators are hard at work, and students will begin learning remotely on Monday, March 23. Because the first week of school closure will be made up at the end of the year, like...

Chamber of Commerce works to support small businesses

The Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce, which covers Wareham, Bourne, and Plymouth, is open for business and working to support local business owners. To that end, the chamber has created a page on its website listing restaurants that are...

Selectmen put some town business on ice

Town Moderator Claire Smith talked with the Board of Selectmen and Town Counsel Richard Bowen on Tuesday night about delaying both Town Meeting and the Town Elections, which are currently scheduled for April 27 and May 5, respectively. Smith said...

Selectmen approve coronavirus spending

Due to the threat of coronavirus, the Board of Selectmen had a rather unusual meeting on Tuesday night as Jim Munise, Peter Teitelbaum, and Alan Slavin joined the meeting remotely. The group approved two new funding measures to allow the town to...

Gyms adapt to coronavirus pandemic

Several gyms in Wareham have closed their facilities to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, and have adapted to find new ways to promote exercise and healthy habits to their members at home. The Pound Martial Arts Center, Straight Blast Gym East...

Police department limits public access amid coronavirus pandemic

The Wareham Police Department has now limited public access to the police station due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The department has asked that visitors do not enter the station’s lobby, unless they have an emergency, or a scheduled...

Restaurants reel from restrictions

Governor Charlie Baker introduced a series of life-changing restrictions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus on Sunday, March 15. Principal among them was limiting restaurants to takeout and delivery only, effective on Tuesday, March 17. In...

Churches go online during coronavirus restrictions

As Governor Charlie Baker has limited gatherings to 25 people or fewer, many churches in Wareham are working to find a way to connect with their members at a safe distance. For some churches, like the Bridge in Onset, that means stepping up the...

Patient diagnosed with coronavirus at Tobey Hospital

A patient at Tobey Hospital has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus. The patient lives in Plymouth County, and is at least the second case in the county following one person’s diagnosis in Hanover on March 15. Shawn Badgley, the public...

Town, state government step up coronavirus response

As Governor Charlie Baker announced aggressive new measures to mitigate the impact of coronavirus on the state, so did local officials. Baker announced that all schools in the state will be closed through April 7, that all gatherings of more than 25...

March Addiction and Recovery Drop-in Center cancelled

The March Addiction and Recovery Drop-in Center, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, has been cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus.

Wareham Land Trust cancels events scheduled for month of March

In an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the Wareham Land Trust has canceled all of its remaining events scheduled for the month of March. The land trust will re-evaluate the situation in the coming weeks, to address events scheduled...

Town of Wareham to implement precautionary measures on March 16

Editor’s note: On March 15, both state and local officials instituted new coronavirus related restrictions. Click here for that story. After evaluating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic for the last two weeks, the Town of Wareham...

First Congregational Church suspends worship due to coronavirus

The First Congregational Church, at 5 Gibbs Avenue, has suspended worship for the next two weeks, in an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. All church meetings have been cancelled until March 25, at which point, the church will...

Wareham Free Library to close temporarily, cancel book sale

The Friends of the Wareham Free Library have cancelled the Used Book Sale scheduled for March 23 to March 28 in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The Wareham Free Library will be temporarily closed as of March 16. The Friends of...

Upper Cape Tech to close for at least two weeks

Upper Cape Tech will be closed for at least two weeks from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27. The closure includes all school activities. Five snow days will be made up, as snow days would be, but additional days beyond that point will not...

Wareham Free Libraries to close for one week

The Wareham Free Libraries will be closed to the public from Monday, March 16, through Saturday, March 21. All programs and room reservations have been cancelled. At the end of the week, staff will evaluate whether the library can re-open or not...

Chicken Bake and Surprise Auction cancelled

The Wareham Firemen’s Association has canceled the Chicken Bake and Surprise Auction which was scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2020 at the Redmen Hall. Those who have already purchased tickets can call the member from whom the ticket was purchased...

Boys & Girls Club of Wareham to close for at least one week

The Boys & Girls Club of Wareham will be closed next week, and will remain closed for all members and organizations for as long as the Wareham Public Schools are closed. “On behalf of the staff at the club, our main concern is our members and...

Wareham Schools to close for one week

Editor’s note: On March 15, Governor Charlie Baker ordered all schools to close through at least April 7. Click here for that story. The bagged breakfast and lunch schedule has changed slightly. Click here....

Shoppers stock up in anticipation of coronavirus threat

Panicked shoppers have flocked to Wareham stores, often depleting the supplies of toilet paper and bleach-based cleaning products and stocking up on goods like frozen vegetables in anticipation of a local coronavirus outbreak. Walmart completely ran...

Tremont Rehabilitation Center restricts visitors in response to coronavirus

The Tremont Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center at 605 Main Street has restricted visitors to the facility as of 6 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. According to a post on the center’s Facebook page...

Church of the Good Shepherd cancels potluck supper, takes coronavirus precautions

The Church of the Good Shepherd has cancelled its Potluck Supper scheduled for March 21, and has taken several precautionary measures in response to the coronavirus. Pastor Daniel Bernier said that the supper was cancelled because the large...

Wareham Historical Society cancels Monday event

The Wareham Historical Society has postponed the “Show and Tell” event scheduled for Monday, March 16, due to concerns about the coronavirus. “We will always have the safety of our guests as a priority and look forward to seeing you all soon,” said...

Southcoast Health limits visitors to hospitals

In light of the threat of a coronavirus outbreak locally, Southcoast Health is limiting visitors to its hospitals, including Tobey Hospital. According to guidance released on March 12, no visitors experiencing cough, shortness of breath, fever, or...

‘He Said/She Said’ comedy event cancelled

The Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce is cancelling the “He Said, She Said: A Comedic Battle of the Sexes,” originally scheduled for Thursday, March 19 at the Rosebrook Event Center. “While this was a difficult decision to make, we feel it...

DECA Home Show cancelled

The 6th Annual Wareham High School DECA Home Show, originally scheduled for March 21, has been canceled. “It is with an abundance of caution and care for our community, and as a result of medical advice in the midst of this health crisis that we...

Chili Contest postponed

The Onset Bay Association Chili Contest, originally scheduled for March 14, has been postponed. The association explained that the decision was made out of concern for the community and public safety. Any tickets or contestant fees collected will be...

Schools plan for possible coronavirus shutdown

Editor’s note: On March 15, Governor Baker ordered all schools to shut through at least April 7. Click here. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood said Wednesday that she and her staff are working to prepare for the...

Coronavirus could lead to postponed Town Meeting

Following Governor Charlie Baker’s declaration of a state of emergency in Massachusetts, Town Moderator Claire Smith said that the town should consider whether Town Meeting should be delayed because it requires hundreds of citizens to gather in one...

Health officials discuss coronavirus preparedness

Public Health officials in Plymouth and Norfolk county met at the Middleborough Town Hall on Feb. 11 for a table-top exercise to gauge preparedness for a potential coronavirus outbreak in the area. On March 10, John J. Burke, the Fire Chief of...

YMCA takes steps to prevent spread of coronavirus

YMCA Southcoast, including the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham, is taking special precautions to help prevent the possible spread of coronavirus. Although cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, none have been confirmed on the...

Wareham Public Schools plan for possible coronavirus outbreak

Wareham Public School officials are planning ahead to prepare for a possible outbreak of the new coronavirus, covid-19, in the area. “We certainly are doing everything we can to keep our students and staff safe,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr...

Tobey Hospital prepares for potential coronavirus outbreak

Covid-19, a form of the coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China, has quickly spread to more than thirty countries world-wide. In Wareham, Tobey Hospital is working to prepare for a potential outbreak of the virus on the South Coast. “Hand-...

Coronavirus resources

Want to know more about coronavirus and the situation outside of our community? Here are links to some reputable resources. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control The World Health Organization