Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

October 8, 2020 UPDATE

Current case count: 569

Active: 46

Recovered and out of isolation:  479

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 44

Active Merrimack cases (included in case count): 28

Dear Neighbors,

Yesterday Governor Baker released an updated Community Level Data Map, and as expected North Andover remains a red (higher risk) community.  That designation was based on two weeks of data from September 20 through October 3.  Many of the cases at Merrimack College were still active during that time period, and there are several that still remain active.  It is important to remember that positive cases from the Merrimack cluster may be included in last week’s red designation and this week’s red designation, depending on when they were tested.   

Based on contact tracing and an analysis of that information completed by the Town, there is still no evidence of community spread from the Merrimack cluster.  Merrimack’s positive cases per day have returned to a normal rate, and evidence shows that the cluster has been contained and mitigated.  

As of today, the Town has 18 cases of COVID-19 that are not a part of the Merrimack cluster.  Most of those cases are from household spread.  This is an uptick from the number of daily active cases that we have seen, and takes us back to the activity we were seeing in June.  As we enter the winter months and flu season, we continue to urge residents to remain diligent.  As a community, we have done an excellent job of stopping the spread of COVID-19 in North Andover, and I know that we can continue to do so.

On Monday, the Board of Selectmen voted to send a letter to Governor Baker requesting that he reconsider not allowing town businesses to move forward to Phase 3 Part 2, due to the red designation.  You can read that letter here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G62xFMGNXIoorbTN65RyQywnTpRSxy66/view

As more and more businesses, restaurants and activities open up, we continue to encourage the community to stay diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Many of the things you can do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses such as the flu, include:

• Wear a face covering or mask whenever in public and when you are not able to physically distance yourself from others. 

• Physical or social distancing whenever in public and as much as possible.

• Avoid large gatherings especially as it gets colder and more events are being held inside.

• 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.

These steps are of the utmost importance and reduce the transmission of COVID-19.  Please join us in stressing this to your family, friends and neighbors.  We understand that you may need to go to potentially crowded public places and stores so please follow our Tips to Shop Safely during COVID-19, found here. 

The Town of North Andover has a scheduled Flu Clinic at the North Andover Senior Center by appointment on Friday, October 16, 2020 from 10:00am-2:00pm.  This  clinic is for ages 19 and above.  Please see the flyer here for more details.  Please make your appointment by clicking here and completing the appointment form.  You will need to bring a copy of this consent form with a copy of your health insurance card attached.  The Board of Health highly recommends getting your flu shot every year.

The Family Flu Clinic for all ages is scheduled for Sunday October 25, 2020 and more details will follow.

Town Hall and the Library are open by appointment.  

To make an appointment at the library contact: https://www.stevensmemlib.org/latest-reopening-news/

To make an appointment at Town Hall please contact the necessary office.

The COVID-19 hotline is still 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 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