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Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Extending of Free COVID-19 Testing Sites in Saugus until October 31 as Part of a Partnership for “Stop the Spread” Initiative - September 17, 2020

Posted on: September 17, 2020 - 2:41pm

Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree Announces Extending of Free COVID-19 Testing Sites in Saugus until October 31 as Part of a Partnership for “Stop the Spread” Initiative

Efforts to Continue to Prioritize Residents’ Safety, Downgrade Saugus From “High Risk” Status

(Saugus, MA) September 17, 2020 – Saugus Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree, the Saugus Board of Health and the Saugus Health Department announce the extending of free COVID-19 testing sites until October 31, 2020 throughout the community as part of a partnership with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ “Stop the Spread” initiative, which aims to help mitigate the spread of the virus in high risk communities and prioritize residents’ safety.

The Town of Saugus has partnered with the Commonwealth, AFC Urgent Care, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to work to downgrade the Town’s newly designated “High Risk” COVID-19 status by establishing the following COVID-19 testing sites in Saugus:

AFC Urgent Care, located at 371 Broadway, is currently offering free testing by appointment on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please register online at afcurgentcaresaugus.com. Call (781) 233-1000 for more information.

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 continue to offer free mobile drive-up testing in for Saugus residents in their cars Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. through October 31, 2020.  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.  All samples go directly to the Broad Institution 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.

This information will be on the Town’s website and on the state’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread?rgja#saugus-

The MDPH has notified the Town of Saugus of 687 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the community. According to the Saugus Health Department, this includes 41 deaths in Saugus. Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this global pandemic.     

Massachusetts health officials have announced as of September 16, 2020, 20 more people have died in the Commonwealth after contracting COVID-19, bringing the state total deaths from the virus to 9,036.  In addition, there were 295 newly reported cases. So far, 123,720 cases in total have been confirmed while 1,996,662 people have been tested for the virus.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker new metric for tracking the virus’ spread locally, which displays the number of cases detected on average each day over the previous two weeks in each community within the State. More than 8 cases per 100,000 translates to a high risk, between 4 and 8 cases per 100,000 is classified as moderate risk, and less than 4 cases per 100,000 is considered low risk.

Cities and towns with the highest risk levels have been shaded red on the State’s COVID-19 map. Saugus has been upgraded this week back to a high-risk community and shaded red on the State’s COVID-19 map based on the average daily incidence rate over the previous two weeks. 

The Board of Health and the Saugus Health Department have partnered and have been working with the State with planned responses to the COVID-19, which includes the openings of local testing sites. The Town and State will continue to analyze the data from the past couple of weeks and continue to develop and implement specific strategies with the state to combat the spread through additional enforcement and intervention measures. 

“We need to do whatever is necessary to keep ourselves, family, neighbors, and communities safe,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “Please continue to wear your masks, wash hands, avoid gatherings, and continue to follow the CDC and MDPH guidelines.”

The Saugus Health Department strongly believes that additional unrecognized cases DO exist in Saugus.  Due to the fact that they are undetected, some of these infected individuals may not be properly isolated or quarantined, which is why Governor Baker’s directive is to wear a cloth face cover over their face when around others, practice social distancing, avoid gatherings, and follow the CDC and MDPH guidance. 

Please continue to follow guidance from Governor Baker, the CDC and MDPH to prevent COVID-19 illness by:

  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
  • Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others; and
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

Please do your part to stay safe and do not hesitate to call the Town with any needs.  The Town and its staff are here to assist you.

For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at 781-231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.