THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022 Page 7 At the Saugus Senior Center Town offers drive-through COVID-19 testing this month By Mark E. Vogler S Standing, pictured from left to right: dishwasher Paul Watson, driver Michael Capozzi, bookkeeper Lynette Terrazzano, transportation manager Cathy Strum, outreach coordinator Cheryl Roberto, kitchen manager Michele Kelley, driver Jack Doherty, custodian Dana Marshall and receptionist Joanne Genzale. Seated, pictured from left to right: administrative assistant Laurie Davis and director Joanne Olsen. augus residents who want to know if they are infected with COVID-19 will have a chance to participate in four more drive-through clinics being hosted this month by the Saugus Senior Center. Pictured from left to right: Memory Laners vocalists Frank Haderson, Patricia McLaughlin, Anne Lamphere, Howard Conley and John Clemente provided a cappella music with CD back-up. They plan to play at the Saugus Iron Works on Aug. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. and at Prince Pizza on Aug. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. “We hope that folks will use this as a resource,” Public Health Director John R. Fralick III said this week, in announcing the tests that will be held at the Senior Center at 498 Central St. on the fi nal Tuesdays and Thursdays of this month from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. “It’s for free and will be available at these drive-through clinics to Saugus residents only. Residents need to show their state-issued ID to show proof of residence.” The clinics began this week as a result of a grant the town received from the Massachusetts Health Officers Association to conduct COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This diagnostic test determines if a person is infected through analysis of samples to see if they contain genetic material from the virus. The Broad Institute of Cambridge will send the results via the email provided by residents at checkin. Results are typically received within 24-36 hours of testing. The Saugus Board of Health will also be providing at-home rapid antigen tests to all participating residents (max three per vehicle while supplies last), Fralick said. The Town of Saugus requests the public’s continued vigilance as the spread of the COVID-19 virus continues to enter into an endemic phase. The following testing dates have been confi rmed for the month of June 2022: • June 21 – 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • June 23 – 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • June 28 – 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. • June 30 – 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. “Where this will be a drivethrough event, all dates are not weather-permitting and you will receive on-site instructions in the event of any change in protocol,” the town noted in a press release issued this week. “All residents that may have exposure concerns are asked to wear masks when interacting with all staff . The Town of Saugus appreciates the opportunity to continue to provide COVID19 resources to all its residents.” The COVID-19 Update Town reports 40 newly confi rmed cases over the past week; one new death By Mark E. Vogler T Friends of the Senior Center, pictured from left to right: Betty Frogello, secretary Margie Bertowitch, Astrid Napolatano, Kathy McMahon and Jean Brunco. Not present: Friends of the Senior Center vice president Robert Teal, John Surabian, Nelson Chang and Jeanette Falzone. here were 40 newly confi rmed COVID-19 cases over the past seven days through Wednesday (June 15), according to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. That’s the same number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported last week. This week’s positive COVID-19 cases reported to the town by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) increased the overall total to 9,316 confi rmed cases, according to Crabtree. There have been more than 530 confi rmed cases over the past eight weeks as the virus continues to hang around, causing some people to continue wearing masks at Town Hall even though they are optional. Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 | SEE PAGE 21
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