THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 Page 13 The latest Coronavirus Count State health officials notify Saugus of 60 new cases over the past week; death toll up to 65 By Mark E. Vogler T he Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) advised the town of 60 new confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, raising the overall total to 3,510 since the outbreak of the virus last March. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Saugus linked to the virus increased by two over the past week to 65, according to the latest statistics released yesterday by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office. A week ago, the state had reported 68 new cases – a reduction from 90 in the previous week. “Our hearts and prayers go WHY NOT SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 6 state: Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, the DoubleTree hotel in Danvers, the Natick Mall and a former Circuit City in out to those families affected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said in the latest press release updating the latest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Massachusetts health officials announced, as of Feb. 23, the deaths of 60 more people in Massachusetts after contracting COVID-19, bringing the state total to 15,624. In addition, there were 1,788 newly reported cases. So far, 543,696 cases in total have been confirmed while 15,776,531 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: Dartmouth. “I fully support writing a letter, but it will fall on deaf ears,” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini said. “Saugus does make a lot of sense ...having Route 1 and there are so many spots at the mall that are “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 following COVID-19 testing sites 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. [Resvacant,” he said, referring to the Square One Mall as an ideal site. “Route 1 — you don’t get much better access than that,” Cicolini said. Cicolini suggested that selectmen talk to state Rep. Donidents] drive-up and register using a tablet when they arrive. Saugus Police will be assisting with traffic. The testing site will be staffed by 1012 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 ald Wong (R-Saugus) and other members of the state legislative delegation to support such a request. “Maybe the reps can even sign the letter,” Selectman Debra Panetta said. on a planned response to… 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 not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why Governor Baker [directed] to wear a cloth face cover over [your] face when around others, practice CORONAVIRUS | SEE PAGE 17 With Route 1 so accessible to the mall and with plenty of parking spaces, selectmen encouraged Riley to craft a letter to make the request. “The worst thing they can say is ‘No,’” Panetta said.
14 Publizr Home