THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 Page 7 The Coronavirus Count Saugus surges into red status again for “high risk” on state COVID-19 map; town has 28 new confirmed cases By Mark E. Vogler S augus returned to the red category – for “high risk” – on the state’s map used for charting the progress of Massachusetts communities in protecting its residents against the spread of the Coronavirus. With 51 positive tests for COVID-19 over the past 14 days, the town’s daily incidence rate rose to 10.6 new cases per 100,000 – the 37th highest rate in the state, according to statistics released on Wednesday (Oct. 14) by the state Department of Public Health (DPH). The weekly DPH report showed 28 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past week, raising the town’s overall total of confirmed cases to 762 since the outbreak of the killer virus back in March. Saugus had spent the previous two consecutive weeks near the top of those communities shaded in yellow – for “moderate risk” – on the state map used to measure the metrics of the incidence of the Coronavirus in all communities across the state. That’s the color code for communities with a daily average of 4 or more, but fewer than 8 cases per 100,000 population. The most recent DPH figures released this week covered the 14-day reporting period for Sept. 27 through Oct. 10. Just three weeks ago, the town had the 12th highest rate in the state and had completed its second consecutive week among the state’s “high risk” communities for logging a minimum of 8 cases per 100,000. This week’s top “red” communities included Middleton (105.2), Lawrence (41.9), Chelsea (30.9), Everett (25.2), Kingston (21.6), Revere (20.1), Marlborough (19.9), Framingham (17.8), Hudson (17.4), Nantucket (17.0), Sunderland (16.9), Haverhill (16.5), Lowell (16.4), Webster (15.8), Amherst (15.7), North Andover (15.6), Methuen (14.5), Springfield (14.4), Acushnet (13.7) and Milton (13.5). Saugus was among 63 Massachusetts communities in the red category. And the state average was also in the red category. The town’s death total remained at 42 – 25 of them residents in the two local nursing homes. Saugus has ranked among the state’s top 25 in confirmed COVID cases per 100,000 for most weeks since the town’s first resident tested positive for the virus on March 19. The DPH website (https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus) includes a measurement which focuses on test results over the past 14 days up until Wednesday. Those recent statistics showed 16,841 Saugus residents have been tested for the virus so far – including 2,664 over the past 14 days. Of those tested, there were 51 confirmed cases of the virus for a positivity rate of 1.91 percent during that time. That is substantially higher than the average state positivity rate of 1.17 percent. The town’s positivity rate last week was 1.83 percent compared to the state average of 1.04 percent. As of Wednesday, DPH officials reported 9,647 deaths statewide linked to COVID-19. Of those, 1,315 have been reported in Essex County. There were 138,083 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported statewide – including 21,516 in Essex County. The DPH has been releasing numbers of COVID-19 cases for all 351 municipalities, broken down by city and town, every Wednesday since soon after it began tracking the cases in March. How Saugus compares to neighboring communities Town residents are able to compare the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Saugus to the cases in neighboring cities and towns as well as communities of similar size by going to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website at https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ covid-19-response-reporting, then click onto COVID-19 cases by city/town. Here’s how nine area communities compare to Saugus: Lynn: 5,054 cases, 235 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 3.31 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 12.3, 27th highest in the state. Revere: 2,843 cases, 230 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 3.69 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 20.1, sixth highest in the state. Everett: 2,458 cases, 201 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 4.41 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 25.2, fourth highest in the state. Malden: 1,646 cases, 137 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 2.21 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 12.5, 25th highest in the state. Peabody: 1,250 cases, 63 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.59 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 in the last 14 days – 6.4. Saugus: 762 cases, 51 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.91 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 10.6, 37th highest in the state. Wakefield: 395 cases, 40 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.57 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 9, 50th highest in the state. Melrose: 350 cases, 21 positive tests in the last 14 days, .61 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 4.4. Reading: 353 cases, 11 positive tests in the last 14 days, .53 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 3.1. Lynnfield: 156 cases, 10 positive tests in the last 14 days, .89 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 2.3. Statewide totals: 138,083 cases, 10,090 positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.17 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 8.7. (Data compiled by DPH and made public as of Oct. 14, 2020.) 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 COUNT | SEE PAGE 13 A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 Same Location * Same Service for over 48 Years... Thanks to our customers for their support ! 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