The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING THE SHARING OF CRITICAL INFORMATION WITH FIRST RESPONDERS
On March 10, 2020, Governor Charles D. Baker declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth to respond to the spread of COVID-19. On March 11; 2020, in view of the grave threat that the spread of COVID-19 presents to the public health, the Public Health Council authorized and directed me to act pursuant to G. L. c. 17, ยง 2A and to take all appropriate actions, incur such liabilities, and establish such rules, requirements, and procedures necessary to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect the health and welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.
As of March 17,2020,218 cases ofCOVID-19 were reported by the Department of Public Health, with 10 of the 14 counties in the Commonwealth impacted, and all indications are that the number of cases continues to grow. The escalating COVID-19 public health emergency has begun and will continue to produce an extraordinary demand on the Commonwealth’s first responders.
