Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

June 12, 2020 UPDATE

Current case count: 338

Active: 48

Recovered and out of isolation:  255

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 35

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.  

Town Meeting is Tuesday June 16 at 5PM.  Masks will be worn and seats will be socially distanced.  Updated protocols and information can be found here: https://northandoverma.news/2020/06/12/updated-protocols-for-north-andover-town-meeting/

This week the Board of Selectmen developed rules and regulations for outdoor dining. Many of our restaurants have opened with patio seating*, including:

Amici’s

Boston Chowda Company

Burtons Grill

Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant

Culpeppers

Dicor Restaurant

Fari’s

Green Apple Cafe

Good Day Cafe

Heav'nly Donuts

Jaime’s Restaurant

Joe Fish

The Loft

Ninety-Nine

Panera 

Perfecto's Caffe

Rolf's Pub

Sal's Pizza

Shadi's Restaurant

Shunju

Stachey's Pizza

Taki's Pizza

*Please check each establishment’s website for the most up-to-date information, including hours of operation and reservation information.

If businesses are interested in learning more they can visit: https://www.northandoverma.gov/community-economic-development/pages/temporary-outside-seating-license

The Stevens Memorial Library’s no-contact curbside pickup is available by appointment while the building is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Curbside pickup begins June 15th.   

All materials must be reserved ahead of pickup.

You will be called when your items are ready.

For more information on library pick up please visit: https://www.stevensmemlib.org/2020/06/10/monday-june-15-curbside-service-begins-at-stevens-memorial-library/

Stevens Pond will open on June 22 with restrictions.  The dock, rafts, and picnic tables will not be available.  All transactions for passes will be completed online.  Swimming lessons will be unable to run at this time.  Thank you for your cooperation in helping us to open Steven’s Pond for the community to enjoy.

We recognize how great the need for Blood Donations continues to be at this time. The American Red Cross will be hosting a Blood Drive at The North Andover Senior Center on June 20th from 9am to 2pm. Extra space will be available to allow for social distancing. Other control measures currently in place to keep staff and donors safe during donation can be found here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yUk80ZV4_6EPG7H6njqek061W3vAfbmq/view?usp=sharing

Recovered Covid-19 Donors Can Help Save Lives by signing up to donate their plasma to help current COVID-19 patients. 

In coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Red Cross is seeking people who are fully recovered from the new coronavirus to sign up to donate plasma to help current COVID-19 patients. People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their plasma that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as treatment for patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening COVID-19 RESPONSE COMMAND CENTER DAILY SITUATION REPORT condition. Interested individuals can visit RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid to learn more, and if eligible, sign up to help. 

We are also encouraging people who have not had COVID-19 to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood or platelets to ensure a stable blood supply during this pandemic. Donating blood products is essential to community health and the need for blood products is constant. As part of our nation’s critical infrastructure, healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. To make an appointment to donate, please visit www.RedCrossBlood.org  

Updates

1. 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.  

2. 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.

3. 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. 

4. Most updated resources for Town businesses can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CaOzgHC0eb-Yal5yOHtggKBDC_Ig7osctuG5xc-pclo/edit

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:

www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.

Questions about the town’s response or about the illness, in general, can be sent to covid19@northandoverma.gov

We will continue to monitor this situation and will distribute necessary information and guidance.  

Best,

Melissa Rodrigues, Esq.

Town Manager