Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 27, 2020 The coronavirus count Saugus COVID-19 cases double; now there are eight residents testing positive, town health official reports By Mark E. Vogler for Disease Control).” In a press release issued MonT he number of Saugus residents testing positive for the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has doubled over the past two days, according to information provided by the state Department of Public Health (MDPH). “As of Wednesday March 25, 2020, the Town of Saugus Health Department has received active confirmation from the MDPH that the Town has 8 positive cases of COVID19,” Interim Health Director Robert F. Bracey told The Saugus Advocate yesterday. “The Health Department is actively investing following up on these cases. The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases do exist in Town as in the State and Country,” Bracey wrote in an email. “Due to the fact that they are undetected, some of these infected individuals may not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why the Health Department continues to strongly request that everyone practice diligent social distancing and avoid large gatherings and to follow the guidelines set up by the MDPH and CDC (Center ASKS | from page 7 A: A virtual service, whether it’s Facebook or it’s YouTube. Q: Now, how does that work? A: Well, we have a camera or iPhone. Yesterday [Sunday, March 22] we used my iPhone for Facebook Live. And we also have a camera here for YouTube. And we had some music. We did the sermon. We did a sermon for children – so it would be as much as possible – day, Saugus town officials reported a total of four residents had tested positive for COVID-19. With growing concerns locally about the spread of the virus, which has already killed more than 1,000 nationwide since the outbreak reached the United States in late January, town officials stepped up efforts this week to encourage residents to practice social distancing. “The Town of Saugus is asking parents to avoid sending kids to the parks and play areas [where] the virus may be transmitted and/or social distancing cannot be maintained pursuant to the Governor and Saugus Health Departments orders,” Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office said in a press release. “Fields, tennis courts, and recreational amenities that promote large gatherings, as well as structures with surfaces that could allow for the transmission of viruses, are closed to public use in Saugus,” the statement continued. “Basketball courts, tennis courts, and other fields have been locked where applicable for the safety of the public. Permits for orgathey could have service in their living room, wherever they are at, and still be a part of getting that word of hope. Q: Did you have a choir here? A: No. Q: An organist? A: Well, my daughter plays piano, so she was here. She played piano and we had people singing. Q: How many people were here, actually conducting the service? Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for family since 1958 • 62 over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com •Roo ng Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! nized use have been suspended through Tuesday, April 7th.” But with Wednesday’s announcement by Governor Charlie Baker that Massachusetts schools will remain closed through at least May 4 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no access to public playgrounds and athletic facilities could last even longer. The Town Manager’s Office and the Saugus Health Department reported in Monday’s press release about receiving notification of three additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Saugus, increasing the total to four. “The Town of Saugus was notified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that several Town of Saugus residents recently tested positive. Test results typically are provided by MDPH to the Local Board of Health,” the press release said. “The Saugus positive cases as of March 22, 2020 were included in the 525 cases announced by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) officials on Sunday, March 22, 2020.” Town officials also noted the public should be aware of additional protective measures contained in the Governor’s COVID-19 Order No. 13, the Order A: Ten. And we were all spread out. Q: Social distancing. A: Social distancing. Q: Okay. That sounds like a way people can have a church service without going there, at least in theory. I used to hear my mom say a long time ago, “Hey, you can have a service at home. Your church can be in your bedroom.” A: That’s right. Q: “If you have a prayer book assuring continued operation of essential services in Massachusetts, closing certain workplaces and prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people. See website and order at https://www.mass.gov/doc/ march-23-2020-essential-services-and-revised-gatheringsorder/download or https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ covid-19-state-of-emergency. Residents going to that website can also see a list of all Public Health Orders and Guidance issued during the State of Emergency. The Town of Saugus will continue working and preparing to respond to the novel coronavirus situation, according to the press release. “As federal and state guidance changes hourly, Town Officials continue meeting regularly, and will continue with adopting plans and procedures to ensure safety and continuity of municipal services,” the statement said. “The Saugus Health Department will continue to monitor the global spread of COVID-19 and continue to keep residents informed.” For more information on COVID-19, visit the Town of Saugus Health Department page or call the health department at 781-231-4117. You may and you want to pray, you still can,” she used to say. A: That’s right. The church is really not a building, even if that’s how we look at it. We’re a living organism, unto the hands and the feet and the voice of the Lord to share his love, so the church is really supposed to be outside of the building. We just come together once a week or twice a week for support groups and whatever, to kind of get empowalso visit the MDPH’s website at https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-theoutbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 and the CDC’s website at https://www. cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/index.html. Saugus officials issued the following precautions for all town residents: • Protect yourself by following public health advice about keeping your hands clean and covering coughs and sneezes. • Stay home if you are sick. If you need to consult a healthcare provider, call ahead first or use telehealth services. • Protect others who are most at risk of COVID-19 by keeping your distance from people (at least six feet away from others), especially those who are older and/or living with chronic health conditions. • If you are outside, avoid crowds. • Don’t shake hands or hug. • Stay connected to friends and loved ones by phone or through other technology. • Get information from trusted sources. Visit https://www. mass.gov/covid19 for the latest news, case counts and lab testing results. • Practice social distancing. ered, equipped and charged. But we’re really supposed to be making a difference in bringing the light and hope to those who need it in the community and the marketplace. Q: Do your church activities continue, like Healthy Students–Healthy Saugus? A: Everything is down right now. Q: You’re not doing any bagASKS | SEE PAGE 10 Spring!
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