THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021 Page 11 The latest Coronavirus Count State health officials notify Saugus of 68 new cases over the past week; death toll remains at 63 By Mark E. Vogler he Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) advised the town of 68 new confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, raising the overall total to 3,450 since the outbreak of the virus last March. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Saugus linked to the virus remained at 63, according to the latest statistics released yesterday by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office. A week ago, the state had reT ported 90 newly confirmed cases, slightly up from the 79 new cases reported in the previous week. Three weeks ago, Saugus officials had learned of 153 new cases. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said in the latest press release updating the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Massachusetts health officials have announced, as of Feb. 16, the deaths of 55 more people in Massachusetts after contracting COVID-19, bringing the state total to 15,312. In addition, there were 1,322 newly reported cases. So far, 533,024 cases in total have been confirmed while 15,140,864 total tests for the virus have been administered. The press release notes the following COVID-19-related information as a public service to town residents: “The Town of Saugus has partnered with the Commonwealth, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to work to downgrade the Town’s designated “High Risk” red COVID-19 status by establishing and extending the folBy Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. The “Dick” Barry Show Tuesday night’s Special Town Meeting got off to a positive, uplifting start as several current and former members of the Board of Selectmen who served with the late Richard J. “Dick” Barry or followed his career in Saugus’s local government shared some of their favorite stories – both serious and humorous. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano called the article he initiated to rename the Saugus Senior Center after Barry – a long time participant in Saugus town government – “probably the easiest thing I ever put before the Town Meeting.” As a result of Tuesday night’s unanimous vote at the meeting, a sign will go up on the outside of the building declaring it “The Richard J. Barry Senior Center,” and a plaque honoring Barry will be installed inside the building. “He made you feel good about being with him and he would honor your person,” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian recalled of the gentleman selectman he served with. Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long, who also served with Manoogian and Barry, suggested that Barry was “also the protector of fellow board members.” Long recalled an incident after a contentious board meeting where he was being approached by an angry man who looked like he was going to “put some bodily harm on me.” Without any regard for his own safety, Barry jumped in between the two men and perhaps saved Long from being physically attacked. Selectman Debra Panetta told Town Meeting members that Barry inspired her to get involved in town politics. Selectman Michael Serino recalled passing out campaign literature for Barry. “He was involved in everything in this town,” Serino recalled. “He loved Saugus even if he was from Lynn.” Calling young artists If you are a school-age student living in Saugus and love to draw or paint or take photographs, here’s your chance to display your artistic talents – for everyone GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who correctly identifies the Saugonian being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies to have their name put in a hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) in your hometown to see. The Selectmen’s Office is seeking any original artwork and/or photographs created by any Saugus school-age child to be included in the Town of Saulowing COVID-19 testing site in Saugus: Fallon EMS at the Square One Mall (Far Side Parking Lot on Essex Street), located at 1201 Broadway with entry off of Essex Street, will offer free mobile drive-up testing for Saugus residents in their cars Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is needed. [Residents] drive-up and register using a tablet when they arrive. Saugus Police will be assisting with traffic. The testing site will be staffed by 10-12 individuals to handle registrations. All samples go directly to the Broad [Institute] in Cambridge for immediate testing with a 24-36 hour turnaround time. Notification of results will be made for negative results via emails while phone calls will be made for positive COVID-19 results. These sites do close when it rains because of risk of test contamination. The state has indicated the site will remain open until further notice. “This information will be on the Town’s website and on the state’s website: https://www.mass.gov/ info-details/stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus“The Board of Health and the Saugus Health Department will continue to partner with the state and are working on a planned response to the COVID-19. They are analyzing the data from the past couple of weeks and developing specific strategies to combat the spread through additional enforcement and intervention measures. We need to do whatever is necessary to keep ourselves, family, neighbors, and communities safe. Continue to wear your masks, wash hands, avoid gatherings, and continue to follow the CDC and MDPH guidelines. The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases DO exist in Saugus. Due to the fact that they are undetected, some of these infected individuals may THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS gus Annual Report. One will be chosen for the Annual Report cover. Artwork should include student’s name and age and may be sent to: Saugus Board of Selectmen, 298 Central Street. Artwork must be received by the selectmen’s office no later than next Thursday – Feb. 25. This sounds like a great opportunity We’ve altered the rules for “Sketch” contest The person who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist” recommends that the winners of our weekly “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest have their name drawn from a hat instead of being selected for being the first one to call or email with the correct answer. The artist also has noticed that some of our readers may not get the paper until Sunday or Monday, so they figure that there’s no point in entering because a winner has already been selected. It’s also possible for folks who have access to a computer to phone or email the correct answer before the paper hits the streets on Friday – by checking out our online digital version of the paper, which is often available for viewing late Thursday night or early Friday. So, to improve the fairness of the contest and open it up to as many readers as possible, we have decided to make a change. If you don’t see the paper until Tuesday morning, you still have a chance to win. Anyone who submits the correct answer by noon on Tuesdays still has a chance to win. The winning entry will be selected from a hat. We have a winner! We have a winner in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Congratulations to Paul Kenworthy, who contacted us first and offered the correct answer. Thanks to other readers who responded by email or phone message. Try again this week. Here’s last week’s answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to the Sketch is one Exceptional Saugus Artist who is a very talented lady. Kelly Slater! Here are Kelly’s own words: Kelly Slater is a figurative abstract painter and printmaker who specializes in the landscapes and plants of the northeast region. Working primarily in watercolTHE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 15 not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why Governor Baker [directed] to wear a cloth face [covering] when around others, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, and to follow the CDC and MDPH guidance. “Again, this is a reminder that … the CDC and MDPH [have] provided guidance to everyone regarding preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the Commonwealth. “Please follow CDC and MDPH guidance to prevent COVID-19 illness by: • Clean your hands often for at least: 20 seconds • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth • Stay at least 6 feet between yourself and others • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others “Please stay healthy and please call us with any needs.” “For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at 781-231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s office at 781231-4111.”
12 Publizr Home