THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 Page 5 COVID-19 numbers continue to soar in Saugus Town averaging more than a dozen confirmed cases per day so far this month By Mark E. Vogler N ovember is already the worst month of the year for COVID-19 since the outbreak of the virus back in March. The state Department of Public Health (DPH) has notified the town of 263 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus since Nov. 2, an average of more than a dozen a day, and 88 a week – over the past 21 days reported through Monday (Nov. 23), according to recent statistics released by the Town of Saugus. Meanwhile, the death toll remains at 45. Saugus has recently returned to the “red” category on the state’s COVID-19 map – the designation for communities with “high risk – despite a change in the metrics for how the state evaluates the spread of the virus. Previously, a community would receive the “red” classification if its daily COVID-19 incidence rate over a 14-day period was 8 or more. Under the new criteria for Massachusetts communities with a population of 10,000 to 50,000, the state increased the daily case average from 8 to 10 while adding the 5 percent or greater positivity rate. To be a “red” community now, Saugus needs to have 10 average cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate of 5 percent or greater. DPH COVID-19 data released last Thursday showed Saugus with an average daily incidence rate of 44.1 per 100,000 during the 14-day period of Nov. 1-14. The town also had a 5.53 positivity rate, making it one of more than 60 communities with a high-risk designation. A community-by-community breakdown of the latest COVID-19 rates, including the positivity rate for those tested for the virus over a 14-day period, was not available at press time yesterday. The DPH has notified the Town of Saugus of 1,167 confirmed cases of COVID-19. According to the Saugus Health Department, this includes 45 deaths in Saugus. Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this health pandemic. A press release issued by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office on Monday noted that the town “has partnered with the Commonwealth, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to work to downgrade the Town’s designated “High Risk” red COVID-19 status by establishing and extending the following COVID-19 testing sites in Saugus: “Fallon EMS at the Square One Mall (Far Side Parking Lot on Essex Street), located at 1201 Broadway with entry off of Essex Street, will offer free mobile drive-up testing for Saugus residents in their cars Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment is needed.” “[Residents] drive-up and register using a tablet when they arrive. Saugus Police will be assisting with traffic. The testing site will be staffed by 10-12 individuals to handle registrations,” according to the press release. “All samples go directly to the Broad [Institute] in Cambridge for immediate testing with a 24-36 hour turnaround time. Notification of results will be made for negative results via emails while phone calls will be made for positive COVID-19 results. These sites do close when it rains because of risk of test contamination. This site has recently been extended until January 15, 2021.” Concerned residents can obtain this information “on the Town’s website and on the state’s website: https:// www.mass.gov/info-details/ stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus-“ Town officials urge residents to “follow CDC and MDPH guidance to prevent COVID-19 illness by: • Cleaning your hands often for at least 20 seconds • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth • Staying at least six feet between yourself and others • Covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others “Please stay healthy and Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma 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 781-231-4111.” SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 1039 BROADWAY, REVERE 781-289-6466 781-289-6466 WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM
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