THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 Page 5 The latest Coronavirus Count State health officials notify Saugus of 106 new cases over the past week; death toll remains at 67 By Mark E. Vogler T he Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) advised the town of 106 new confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, raising the overall total to 3,804 since the outbreak of the virus last March. Meanwhile, the number of deaths in Saugus linked to the virus remained at 67, according to the latest statistics released yesterday by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office. A week ago, the state had reported 72 new cases – an increase of 27 over the previous week. This marks the second consecutive week of a significant spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases. “Our hearts and prayers go 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. Last week, Saugus had registered its fourth consecutive week in the “yellow” rather than the “red” category on the state’s colored-coded map, which is for the state’s highest risk communities for COVID-19. “Yellow” stands for a moderate risk. Information was not available yesterday at press deadline showing the latest COVID-19 ranking for Saugus. But officials were concerned that the recent upward trend might push Saugus back into the “red” category. The Town of Saugus 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 risk of spread of COVID-19 … 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. [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 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 DeRuosi says he is ready for kids to go ‘Back to five days a week – in school!’ By Mark E. Vogler S augus Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi, Jr. has announced a more ambitious plan for getting all students back to a fivedays-a-week in-person learning routine. State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley announced earlier this month that he expects elementary school students back in school by April 5, Middle School students returning on April 28 and High School students back in class at a date to be announced in May. But, in his “Superintendent’s Special Report” for March 18, DeRuosi said he plans to have all students back to a full week of in-person learning much sooner. “My hope is to bring our kindergarten to grade five kids back the week of April 5, and grades six to 12 back the week of April 12,” DeRuosi said. “This would give us a chance to bring all our students back before the April break (April 19-23). If we need to make adjustments, we will make them at the break,” he said. Saugus Publ ic Schools closed last March 13 in what school officials envisaged as a two-week period. But the students were forced to learn remotely from home. Students in grades kindergarten through 5 switched to the so-called Hybrid learning model – which allows two days of in-person learning a week, alternating with remote learning – in late February. Students in grades 6 through 12 transitioned into Hybrid learning on March 2. “As the state continues to relax the COVID restrictions, it is 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 … follow the CDC and MDPH guidance.” time to bring students back,” DeRuosi said in his message. “Our teachers are ready. Our administration is ready. I believe the community is ready. I am encouraged by the governor’s recent adjustment to the vaccine schedules for the state. This new timeline may alleviate some concerns for people that they had DERUOSI | SEE PAGE 13
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