Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 3, 2020 COUNT | FROM PAGE 1 ing. However, the 556 cases reported for Saugus averages out to a rate of 1,956.00 per 100,000 – which is above the state average of 1,490.76 per 100,000 and remains the 21st ings, and to follow the CDC and MDPH guidance.” Of the 3,700 people tested -highest rate among all communities across the state, according to the data released Wednesday. The DPH has been releasing numbers of COVID-19 cases for all 351 municipalities, broken down by city and town, every Wednesday. The agency on its website will post the number of cases of people testing positive for the Coronavirus, and the number of cases per 100,000. But officials believe the numbers in most communities are substantially underreported because of the lack of aggressive testing for the virus. “The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases DO exist in Saugus,” the town advised in a press release. “Due to the fact that they are undetected, some of these infected individuals may not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why Gov. Baker has a safer at home advisory and continues to strongly request that everyone wear a cloth face cover over their face when around others, practice social distancing, avoid gatherin Saugus so far, 15.03 percent tested positive for COVID-19 – a drop from last week (16.19). The state average for people testing positive is 12.17 percent, also a reduction from last week (13.00). As of Wednesday, there were 16,122 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Essex County, the third-highest among the state’s 14 counties. There were 109,143 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus statewide and 8,081 virus-related deaths. There were 1,104 COVID-19-related deaths in Essex County, the second-highest among the state’s 14 counties. Nursing home update Of the total 36 COVID-19-related deaths reported in Saugus this week, the town’s two nursing homes accounted for 24 of them – but no new ones over the past week. There were 18 deaths reported at the Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, which is licensed for 88 total beds. There have been more than 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the facility. There were six deaths reported at Saugus Rehabilitation and Nursing, a long-term care facility licensed for 80 beds. There have been more than 30 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the facility. The most recent Nursing Facility Audit Survey Results through June 26 show that Saugus Rehabilitation and Nursing has been “in adherence” with a recent 28-point Infection Control Checklist after being deficient in the first round of audits. Meanwhile, Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation and Health Care Center was “not in adherence” in two of its three audits. The latest state reports showed that 100 percent of the residents and 93 percent of the staff at both facilities had been tested for COVID-19. How Saugus compares to neighboring communities As of press time yesterday, town officials were unaware of any additional deaths of Saugus residents infected with the virus since 36 deaths were reported last week. Meanwhile, town residents are able to compare the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Saugus to those in neighboring cities and towns as well as communities of similar size by going to the DPH website at https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting, then click onto COVID-19 cases by city/town. Chelsea (7,816.28 per 100,000), Brockton (4,300.33 per 100,000) and Lawrence (4,029.45 per 100,000) have the highest rates in the state for people testing positive for the Coronavirus. Here’s how nine other area communities compare to Saugus: Lynn: 3,635 cases, 3,602.46 per 100,000 (5th highest in state). Revere: 1,782 cases, 2,925.32 per 100,000 (6th highest in state). Everett: 1,765 cases, 3,636.45 per 100,000 (4th highest in state). Malden: 1,237 cases, 1,825.73 per 100,000 (30th highest in state). Peabody: 984 cases, 1,764.52 per 100,000. Saugus: 556 cases, 1,956.00 per 100,000 (21st highest in state). Wakefield: 314 cases, 1,162.76 per 100,000. Melrose: 245 cases, 847.10 per 100,000. Reading: 296 cases, 1,076.99 per 100,000. Lynnfield: 95 cases, 815.52 per 100,000. Statewide totals: 103,858 cases, 1,490.76 per 100,000. (Data compiled by DPH and made public as of July 1, 2020 count and rate [per 100,000] of confirmed COVID-10 cases in Massachusetts by city/town, January 1, 2020–July 1, 2020.) On its website, the DPH noted that the rate specifying the number of cases per 100,000 “provides a standardized way to compare the burden of disease in cities and towns regardless of the size of their population.” The DPH stressed “these are reported cases only.” Tips to protect yourself (offered by the Town of Saugus) Please follow CDC and MDPH guidance to prevent COVID-19 illness by: • Clean your hands often for at least: 20 seconds • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth • Stay at least 6 feet between yourself and others • Stay home as much as possible – only leave for essential reasons • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others Please stay healthy and please call us with any needs. We are her [sic] for you. For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at (781) 231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s office at 781231-4111. For additional information about COVID-19, go to the town website at https://www. saugus-ma.gov/ and pull down the bar titled “COVID-19 Resources.”
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