THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, May 15, 2020 Page 5 The Coronavirus count Confi rmed Saugus COVID-19 cases increase to 432; town receives news of fi ve more virus-related deaths By Mark E. Vogler lease. “Due to the fact that T here were 41 new cases of Saugus residents testing positive for COVID-19 over the past week, bringing the total of confi rmed cases to 432 – about an 11 percent increase, according to new data released late Wednesday afternoon by the state Department of Public Health (DPH). Meanwhile, the DPH notifi ed the town that its death total from the virus had risen to 23 – an increase of fi ve over the same period. No information was available on the Saugus residents who died from the virus. As of Wednesday, DPH officials reported 5,315 deaths statewide linked to COVID-19. Of those, 704 have been reported in Essex County. Cases cited at two local nursing homes As of Wednesday night, there were 80,497 confi rmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, including 11,703 in Essex County. The Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, a Saugus nursing home licensed for 88 beds, had more than 30 cases of residents and staff testing positive for the virus, according to the DPH website. There were more than 30 cases of residents and staff testing positive for COVID-19 at the Saugus Center nursing home, which is licensed for 90 beds. The Rubin Home Assisted Living facility had less than 10 cases of residents and staff testing positive for the Coronavirus, according to the state website. The DPH has been releasing numbers of COVID-19 cases for all 351 municipalities, broken down by city and town, every Wednesday. The agency on its website will post the number of cases of people testing positive for the Coronavirus, and the number of cases per 100,000. The 432 cases reported for Saugus averages out to a rate of 1,519.77 per 100,000 – which is above the state average of 1,155.44 per 100,000, according to the data released Wednesday. But offi cials believe the numbers for most communities are substantially underreported because of the lack of aggressive testing for the virus. “The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases DO exist in Saugus,” the town advised in a press rethey are undetected, some of these infected individuals may not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why the state continues to strongly request that everyone stay at home unless it is essential, wear a cloth face cover over their face when around others, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, and to follow the CDC and MDPH guidance. “The Saugus Health Department expects those numbers to increase considerably during this surge, as does every other community in Massachusetts. “Again, this is a reminder that as the CDC and MDPH has warned everyone these couples [sic] of weeks in Massachusetts are when they expect the peak of the COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth.” This is the eighth consecutive week since the fi rst case of the deadly virus was reported in Saugus on March 19, that the number of town residents testing positive for the killer virus has increased signifi cantly. How Saugus compares to neighboring communities As of press time yesterday, town offi cials were unaware of any additional deaths of Saugus residents infected with the virus since the four deaths reported earlier in the week. Meanwhile, town residents are able to compare the number of COVID-19 cases confi rmed in Saugus to those in neighboring cities and towns as well as communities of similar size by going to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ covid-19-response-reporting – then click on COVID-19 cases by city/town. Here’s how nine other area communities compare to Saugus: Lynn: 2,834 cases, 2,808.63 per 100,000. Revere: 1,403 cases, 2,303.16 per 100,000. Everett: 1,366 cases, 2,814.38 per 100,000. Malden: 986 cases, 1,455.27 per 100,000. Pe abody : 809 case s , 1,450.71 per 100,000. Saugus: 432 cases , 1,519.77 per 100,000. Wakefi eld: 257 cases, 951.68 per 100,000. Melrose: 206 cases, 712.26 per 100,000. Reading: 247 cases, 898.71 per 100,000. Lynnfi eld: 80 cases, 686.75 per 100,000. Statewide totals: 80,497 cases, 1,155.44 per 100,000. (Data compiled by Massachusetts DPH and made public as of May 13, 2020, count and rate [per 100,000] of confi rmed COVID-10 Cases in Massachusetts by city/ town, January 1, 2020–May 13, 2020.) On its website, the DPH noted that the rate specifying the number of cases per 100,000 “provides a standardized way to compare the burden of disease in cities and towns regardless of the size of their population.” The DPH stressed “these are reported cases only.” Town of Saugus U pdate “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 “• Stay home as much as possible – only leave for essential reasons “• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others “Please stay healthy and please call us with any needs. We are her [sic] for you. For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at (781) 231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s offi ce at 781231-4111.” 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
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