THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 28, 2023 Page 5 Respiratory illness sickens many f the migrants sheltered at Everett hotel A Greater Boston area sees surge in migrants new to u.S.; housing conditions fueling health risks for newcomers By Steve Freker sudden surge in immigrants coming to the Greater Boston area has also brought with it a housing crisis, as well as ramped health risks for those being sheltered in the region. These and other related issues were illustrated this month when multiple respiratory illnesses sickened many of the close to 300 migrants being housed temporarily at the enVision Hotel on Revere Beach Parkway in Everett. According to online reports, the outbreak of illness shows how the limited, cramped quarters can aff ect those who have no other place to go, doctors and immigrant advocates have reported. According to reports, the outbreak at the enVision Hotel – located at 1835 Revere Beach Pkwy., right at the Everett-Chelsea city line – began the day after the July 4 holiday, when migrants at the hotel began to get sick. What was quickly identifi ed as a respiratory illness spread rapidly among the nearly 300 migrants. Representatives of a Chelsea organization, La Colaborativa, which is working as a support group for the migrants, said they enlisted clinicians from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston to come to the hotel and treat the sickened migrants directly. Although the outbreak quickly multiplied to several respiratory illnesses, with most of the children becoming ill, a representative of La Collaborativa said in an online report that none of those affl icted tested positive for tuberculosis – the most serious and potentially deadly respiratory illness – or COVID-19. Some of those sickened were diagnosed with severe cases of the fl u. Infectious which oversees the emergency shelter system. Over 4,300 families, including many not involved in the migrant infl ux, are being sheltered by the Commonwealth’s services. Once migrants make it to cities like Boston and are placed in JOHN MACKEY & ASSOCIATES ~ Attorneys at Law ~ Close to 300 migrants are housed in an emergency shelter at the enVision Hotel on Revere Beach Parkway in Everett. An illness swept through the hotel earlier this month, and it was later identifi ed as multiple respiratory illnesses. (Courtesy Photo) disease experts are saying that the migrants are essentially “healthy people,” but the stress of the conditions before they crossed the border to the United States and the relocation process, upping the physical and mental stress, have added up to make them much more vulnerable to illness, according to online info. While New York City and other places around the country have declared a state of emergency related to the migrant infl ux, this has not been done in Massachusetts. According to reports, altogether well over 1,000 families of migrants have arrived in Massachusetts in just the past four to fi ve months, conservatively, over 3,000 in all. Many more are expected before the end of 2023 due to the expiration of a more restrictive immigration policy that was not renewed by the federal government. Nationwide, major population centers, including New York City, Chicago and Detroit, are being overwhelmed by numbers of migrants who need housing, food and other basic necessities. State offi cials are scrambling to add apartments and shelter space. A dormitory at Salem State University now houses 104 families, according to the Department of Housing and Community Development, * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * LANDLORD/TENANT DISPUTES 14 Norwood Street Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.JMACKEYLAW.COM Things This Rate Will Keep You Cool All Summer Long! are Heatin’ up! Mass Save ® HEAT Loan Program For home energy efficiency improvements, including central air, heat pumps, windows & more! START with the QR code here or call Mass Save at 866-527-7283. After your assessment, APPLY for your 0% loan at memberspluscu.org or give us a call. memberspluscu.org 781-905-1500 MEDFORD NORWOOD DORCHESTER EVERETT PLYMOUTH ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA *Customers must meet program eligibility requirements to participate. Eligibility for the HEAT Loan Program is based on completing a Home Energy Assessment and pre-approval. Some restrictions apply and offers are subject to change or cancellation. Financing is subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions apply. Visit MassSave.com/HEATLoan or call 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) for details and to learn more about the program. crowded housing units, the risk of contracting illness and becoming seriously sick goes up. Tuberculosis remains a big concern, as many of the migrants were not well-nourished and would not have responded well to the illness.
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