THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022 Page 3 The COVID-19 Update Town reports 112 newly confirmed cases over the past seven days, no new deaths By Mark E. Vogler T he number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases keeps dropping in Saugus after a holiday surge that contributed to two consecutive weeks of more than 600 cases back in early January. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced that the state Department of Public Health (DPH) has notified the town of 112 new cases over the past seven days through yesterday (Thursday, Feb. 3), bringing the overall total to 8,456 cases since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in March of 2020. Crabtree also noted there were no new COVID-19-related deaths, with the death count remaining at 99. Last week, there were five new deaths reported. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said. Last week, the town reported 214 COVID-19 cases, which followed a sharp decline from record highs in early January. The town has reported 316 new COVID-19 cases since Nov. 22. An ongoing surge of consecutive weeks of 623 and 668 cases in early January prompted the Board of Health to adopt an indoor mask mandate four weeks ago. Meanwhile, Saugus Public Schools also experienced a reduction of cases in its four buildings, going from 65 cases (Jan. 20-26) to 45 cases (Jan. 27-Feb. 2). This week, there were six cases reported in Saugus High, 10 in Saugus Middle School, 21 in the Belmonte STEAM Academy and eight in the Veterans Early Learning Center. A week ago, there were 12 cases in the High School, 11 in the Middle School, 25 in the Belmonte STEAM Academy and 17 in the Veterans Early Learning Center. Four Chaplains Day to be observed on Feb. 3 O n February 3, American Legion Posts and other Veteran organizations around the country will observe Four Chaplains Day. This day commemorates the events of February 3, 1943, when the troop ship USAT Dorchester was sunk. The Dorchester left New York harbor on January 23, 1943, carrying four chaplains and about 900 passengers, including troops, merchant marines and civilians, as part of a convoy of three ships. Off the coast of Newfoundland at 12:55 a.m. on February 3, the Dorchester was torpedoed by a German submarine. As the Dorchester began to sink, four chaplains of different religions – George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. Goode (rabbi), Clark V. Poling (Baptist) and John P. Washington (Catholic) – were helping to calm the passengers and organize an orderly evacuation. The life vests were passed out, but the supply ran out before the last remaining passengers had one. The four chaplains took their own vests and gave them away. The Chaplains continued their efforts to help as many as possible to board the rescue boats. Having done all that they could, the Chaplains linked their arms together, said prayers and sang hymns as they went down with the ship. There is a connected story to this disaster. A young Black Coast Guard Petty Officer, Charles W. David Jr., was serving on one of the escort cutters named the Comanche. David and his shipmates were Captain Hughes retires from Saugus Fire Dept. RETIRED: Saugus Fire Capt. James Hughes retired last month after serving nearly three decades of his 35 years of firefighting with the Saugus Fire Department. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler). able to rescue 93 of the 227 Dorchester survivors. David dived into the water constantly to pull people to the rescue vessels. A month later he contracted pneumonia from his efforts and died. Subsequently, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for Heroism posthumously. In 2013 the Coast Guard named a coast guard cutter for David to honor his heroism. The Four Chaplains were posthumously awarded Purple Hearts and Distinguished Service Crosses on December 19, 1944. In 2006 they were awarded Medals of Honor. A Four Chaplains Medal was introduced by Congress on July 14, 1960. The medals were presented posthumously to CHAPLAINS | SEE PAGE 9
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