Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 3, 2020 COVID-19 | FROM PAGE 1 The town would not provide a breakdown of the age and sex of those infected with the virus. Bracey said the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) privacy and security laws prohibit the disclosure of that type of information. However, the state has released information on a periodic breakdown of the ages and sex of all COVID-19 cases confi rmed statewide. Bracey said HIPAA regulations also prevent the release of information as to whether those testing positive with the virus were confi ned to their homes or in the hospital. The laws also prevent disclosure of whether the cases were related, he said. Meanwhile, Bracey said he is not aware of any town employees or schoolchildren testing Monday, April 6 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – Town Manager’s Update from March 28. Tuesday, April 7 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – Superintendent’s Special Report from March 30. Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. positive for the virus. He also said he doesn’t know of any of the 200 construction workers at the site of the new Saugus Middle-High School testing positive for the virus. COVID-19 tying up Health Department resources Bracey, who works for the town on a part-time consulting basis while also working for another community, said about 95 percent of his time working for Saugus involves COVID-19-related matters. He is being assisted by three part-time nurses (two who were hired recently) and a retired former Saugus Health Director. When somebody in the community tests positive for the virus, the Health Department undertakes an in-depth investigation to ensure that residents and others who had close contact on Channel 8 – “The Pitch: Sports Talk” from March 27. Thursday, April 9 at 9 p.m. on Channel 8 – “The Pitch: Sports Talk” from April 2. Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m. on Channel 9 – School Committee with that person are notified. “That is what is called ‘Contact Tracing.’ The Health Department actively conducts this with every case in accordance with MDPH/ CDC [Massachusetts Department of Public Health/U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines,” Bracey said. “The MDPH and the U.S. Center for Disease Control guidelines require anyone testing positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate.” Contract tracing involves a thorough investigation to determine how many and who may have had contact with the person infected with the virus. The Health Department then uses its resources to contact those people. Bracey said he hopes to soon get some help from student interns who can assist with “contract tracing.” In the fi rst wave of funding for state grants from the MDPH, the This week on Saugus TV Meeting from March 26. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9, & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may change without notice*** East Boston Savings Bank is here for you. As a 172-year old Boston Bank, East Boston Savings Bank has a rich history of servicing the City of Boston and its surrounding communities. The foundation that we honor are integrity, strength and hard work for all our customers. It is our tradition to be responsive to the needs of people like you and businesses like yours during good times and challenging times. We have seen and been through past events that have affected the country and the world. As we navigate through this pandemic together, please know that we are here for you. I assure you that East Boston Savings Bank remains your strong neighborhood bank, supporting you, your family, your business and your community. It’s because of your trust in us - and our faith in you – we will make it through these events together. Trust that we are in this for the long-haul, right by your side. Our branch office doors will remain open as long as we can assure the safety of you and our employees. Online Banking, Mobile Banking, ATMs and our Automated 24-Hour Telephone Banking System (866-774-7705) are always an alternative banking option for you – visit ebsb.com for more information. As always, your deposits are 100% guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund. I understand there are a bunch of unknowns with this pandemic but know this; East Boston Savings Bank has endured many devastating events in the past and has come through each of these stronger and more committed to our customers than ever. Thank you for trusting in East Boston Savings Bank. Stay safe and we look forward to continuing working hard for you. S ncerely, Si Sinc ely Saugus Health Department received $15,000 to support staff and contract tracing. The town’s initial request was for $85,000. Bracey is optimistic about receiving additional funds. Another major task for the Health Department is to make sure that the restaurants that provide takeout food and other businesses that remain open follow safe social distancing guidelines. There have been allegations that some have not been following the regulations. “I’ve gotten a couple of complaints and gone and spoken to the establishments,” Bracey said of investigations he has undertaken. “They seem to be doing the right thing. I haven’t gotten any complaints of people being egregious. I think everybody is taking it pretty seriously.” There haven’t been any COVID-19-related violations filed against town businesses or individuals so far. Ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines The most challenging aspect of his job over the past month has been keeping abreast of new COVID-19 information, regulations and guideline changes. “It’s diffi cult trying to stay on top of the evolving guidelines that are changing pretty much every day,” Bracey said. He estimates it may take a year before things get back to normal. His advice to the residents of Saugus on how best to protect themselves? “The best advice I can give? Go to Mass.Gov. That’s where we go after the governor has a press conference and announces new guidelines,” Bracey said. “There are a lot of things people need to do. The main thing is to practice social distancing. With everything closed down, and people advised to stay at home, you want to go out,” he said. “But there’s really nowhere to go. If they do go out, they really need to practice social distancing.” Bracey also said if people have access to facemasks, they should use them. Initially, health offi - cials were telling people that the masks didn’t provide much protection from people with the virus. Bracey said he thinks that message was put out so that fi rst responders, medical personnel, police fi refi ghters and other essential workers would get priority in access to the supply of facemasks. But people are safer wearing the masks, especially to protect themselves when they may come in contact with somebody infected with COVID-19 who sneezes or coughs. “Remember watching a football game on a Sunday inside the house near a window and you look up and notice small dirt particles or dust suspended in the air?” Bracey asked. He said that refl ects how small droplets from a sneeze or cough can hang in the air when a coronavirus victim coughs or sneezes and somebody passes by. “You are better off wearing a facemask,” he said. Obituary Debbie L. (Agri) Shaheen 63, of Saugus, formerly of Revere, passed away on March 28, 2020. Cherished daughter of the late Joseph and Mary C. (Petrosino) Agri. Beloved wife of Fawzi Alqudah. Loving mother of Joshua Alqudah. Adored great grandmother of Jiada Alqudah. Dear sister of Joseph Agri and his wife Anna, Maryjo Lundquist and her husband Robert, Linda McElliot and her husband Robert, Carmela Trott, and Louis Agri and his wife Renne. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic all services are private. Shara Belgiorno n Thursday, March 26, 2020, Shara passed away unexpectedly at the age of 28. She was born in Boston and resided in Saugus most of her life. Shara had a passion for Richard J. Gavegnano President, CEO and Chairman East Boston Savings Bank Ri h d J G drawing, music and animals. She also had the ability to bring laughter to all that knew her. The granddaughter of the 800.657.3272 EBSB.com Member FDIC/Member DIF late Albert, Sr. and Florence Belgiorno of Saugus and the late Michael and Phyllis Siraco of East Boston. O The cherished daughter of Albert Jr. and Gloria Belgiorno of Salem. Beloved sister of Cheryl Belgiorno of Rowley, Lisa Vidinha of Salem, Kristina Duff and her husband David of Winthrop. Adored aunt of Hannah, Jaxon, Maranda and Marisa. Loving partner of Steven Nassor of Lynn. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends! Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a funeral mass will be held in the near future. In lieu of fl owers, donations in Shara’s name may be made to Community Action for Safe Alternatives (CASA) in Winthrop.
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