Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response
CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283
SCHOOL CANCELED FOR REST OF YEAR
April 21, 2020 UPDATE
Current case count: 115
Active: 42
Recovered and out of isolation: 66
COVID-19 Related Deaths: 7
As a community, we continue to mourn our COVID-19 related deaths. My thoughts, and the thoughts of all of our neighbors, are with families who have experienced such loss.
All of the deceased patients were elderly with pre-existing medical conditions. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and all of our neighbors.
Today, Governor Baker closed public and private schools for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year.
Last week, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey launched a new website, frontlinema.org, to provide health care workers and first responders with resources such as alternative housing, guidance on accessing PPE & testing, and emergency child care options. There is also a section where the public can provide help to frontline workers through a donation or a message of support.
The Town continues its meal service program. We are requiring all car passengers to wear masks or a face covering. Meals will be placed in empty back seats or trunks only.
A message from Deanna Lima, the Community Support Coordinator:
NA residents continue to be highly responsive to their neighbors needs. After learning that food bank supplies were running low we received over 1000 items since Friday! There are many more drop offs scheduled. We have also matched residents willing to sponsor homebound seniors/veterans with special dietary needs.
Some residents have done collections of goods in their neighborhoods and made group donations to the food bank. Others have called regularly to ask what we are low on in order to purchase exactly what is needed.
Residents that have utilized the food bank have been humbled by this resource and all the support available in the town. The biggest comfort being that it's easily accessible, personal, and without judgment.
Now, more than ever, social connections matter…North Andover residents are truly concerned for each other and should be praised for such. Additionally, each and every staff member that I encounter on a daily basis in town hall/senior center has been not just a joy to work with, but truly has gone above and beyond the scope of their work to ensure the needs of the community are met.
Reminders
-
Town Meeting has been rescheduled to until June 16.
-
Town Election is rescheduled to until June 2nd and voting by mail and by absentee ballot is encouraged.
-
The Affordable Housing Trust and Board of Selectmen voted to allocate $100,000 for an Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The program will provide up to $1,000 of rental assistance per month for a total of up to 3 months to residents that are unemployed, furloughed or have had a significant decrease in income due to COVID-19. Information regarding details of the program along with the application can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wJMGyIm0cYpECRUcJJYYL6Wg6ypthyx2/view. You may also request information by emailing lburzlaff@northandoverma.gov or calling the Town Manager’s office at 978-771-0837.
-
The Town is sponsoring the North Andover COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant, which allows eligible small businesses to apply for a grant that will cover one month of rent or a mortgage payment for the business, up to a maximum of $3,000. Learn more and apply here: www.northandoverma.gov/covidbizrelief
-
Social distancing has been shown to be the most proven method of preventing the transmission of COVID-19, but this can also be an issue for individuals who communicate primarily through face to face interactions, such as seniors. Please take a look at some tips and guidance for Seniors, in regard to social distancing by clicking on this link Seniors, Social Distancing and COVID-19.
-
With the rise in total cases of COVID-19 across the country, it has become common to see individuals at grocery stores and out in public wearing masks and gloves. When used correctly, personal protection equipment or PPE can help protect you and those around you from the COVID-19 virus. Please read our tips and other information regarding the Proper use of PPE.
-
The Town has also implemented one way walking recommendations around the town common and high school track to encourage social distancing while exercising. Please take a look at our Exercising in Public guidance.
-
Covid-19 is easily transmitted from person to person and concerns have arisen over virus transmission in apartment complexes, condominiums and multi-unit buildings. The North Andover Health Department would like to provide you with tips and suggestions for both staff and residents, to work in unison to keep the property safe. Please read our Guidance for Apartment Complexes, Condo Associations and other Multi-unit Living Facilities.
-
Most updated resources for Town businesses can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CaOzgHC0eb-Yal5yOHtggKBDC_Ig7osctuG5xc-pclo/edit
-
Meals are available for pick up or delivery on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. Families may take two days worth of meals. You will be asked to provide a confirmation number, people MUST pre-register for meals so that we have enough. Please pre-order your meals here: http://www.northandoverpublicschools.com/departments/food-service-menus/community-meals-during-school-closure or by calling 978-208-6070 the day before. Mondays meals should be called in on Friday by 12:00 pm.
Meal pick up is at the High School. If you pre-order food for pick-up, but become under isolation or quarantine, please call and we will assist you in arranging for a no-contact delivery instead.
The COVID-19 hotline will still be available at 978-208-6070. Messages left on this line are sent directly to Town staff and will be answered during regular business hours.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has provided the following information
for all residents:
Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:
-
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
-
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
-
Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
-
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.
-
Stay home if you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this novel coronavirus infection.
We continue to encourage social distancing. Please see our Social Distance Guidance here. The best way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is to avoid large crowds and stay home with your families. This is of the utmost importance. Please join us in stressing this to your neighbors and friends. We do understand that at some point you may need to go to a potentially crowded or busy establishment, such as a grocery store. We encourage you to follow our Tips to Shop Safely during COVID-19, found here.
The best source of guidance and recommendations is the DPH website:
Questions about the town’s response or about the illness, in general, can be sent to covid19@northandoverma.gov
Updated COVID-19 FAQS are available here.
We will continue to monitor this situation and will distribute necessary information and guidance.
Best,
Melissa Rodrigues, Esq.
Town Manager
NA_BoardHealth_Graphic@600x.png
