Town of Saugus Update Regarding COVID -19 - November 25, 2020
Update on COVID-19 Testing Site and Holiday Gatherings
(Saugus, MA) November 25, 2020
Residents are reminded that the Stop the Spread testing site at the Square One Mall will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Nov. 27 due to the holiday. The testing site will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 2-7 p.m.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has notified the Town of Saugus of 1190 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.
Here we are at the end of November and it still gets harder and harder each day. COVID-19 rates continue to escalate throughout the Commonwealth and the country. Saugus is not exempt. I, as all of you, want so badly to get back to normal with businesses fully open and students in school. We are doing everything we can to stop the spread and preserve the health and safety of our residents, employees, kids, and visitors.
We are very worried about the impact of decisions that will be made by families over the next few days and the consequences those decisions will have on our workplace, community, and the Town’s working plan on the road to a healthy reopening. The community and you have really worked hard as a group and came together during this pandemic as it rages all around us. We know that our families will do what they think is right, but that not all of us will be as unwavering in following the recommendations.
The Saugus Board of Health and the Saugus Health Department recommend following the CDC and MDPH guidelines, as well as the Governor’s orders - what most of you have heard for the holiday:
Avoid travel and gatherings. The goal of this Thanksgiving is to make sure we are able to be together next Thanksgiving.
Understand what testing actually means. As you may know, it normally takes 5 days from exposure for symptoms to emerge, and testing is not going to eliminate this risk, especially if you test in the first few days after exposure. Testing provides reassurance, but that reassurance has limitations. It will not detect all exposures over the holiday weekend.
If you do decide to gather, travel, or do anything that increases your ‘normal’ risk, please think about our shared goal of keeping our Saugus community safe healthy so that we can continue to stop the spread.
If you have any symptoms outlined in the CDC guidelines please stay home and get tested.
I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving. We are here if you need anything. For more information, contact the Saugus Health Department at (781) 231-4117 and/or the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.