By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
As COVID cases—fueled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant—continue to rise in North Attleborough, the Senior Center has decided to continue its temporary cancellation of in-person programs for an additional two weeks.
Senior Center Executive Director Pamela Hunt first announced the temporary hold in late December, citing the rising cases and wanting to protect the town’s senior population. At the time it was to last until Jan. 14. Cases in town have reached nearly 4,700 in total, according to the Board of Health, with a positivity rating well over 20 percent.
“We plan to open again for in-person programs/classes on Monday, Jan. 31,” wrote Hunt in the announcement. “We are doing this out of caution and to limit exposure to our seniors.”
The cancellation includes the JabberWalkers program, which meets twice a week for walks in North Attleborough and area communities.
The Senior Center staff will be available during regular scheduled hours of operation— Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-Noon. Meals on Wheels will still be delivered and Grab & Go lunches will still be available. Zoom programs will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 18, as the center will be closed on Jan. 17. Call 508-699-0131 or look for an email for the link and schedule of Zoom Programs.
Linda Gallant will be live for her Strength & Conditioning classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 9:45-10:30 a.m. for the next two weeks. Her class will be live on Comcast channel 15 and Verizon channel 24 in North Attleborough. It would also be live on community.northtv.net.
“We are hopeful that this will reduce the spread and we anticipate returning to in-person programs/activities on Monday, Jan. 31,” said Hunt.
Several other departments have announced changes due to the rising COVID cases. The animal shelter has returned to an appointment-only basis and offices such as the police and Town Hall now require masks.
