Author: Sarah Brush

Statement from the Town of North Andover regarding Merrimack College COVID-19 cases

Sarah Brush

As you may have seen in the news, over the past week Merrimack College had several students test positive for Covid-19 in one specific dorm (Monican Hall) located on campus.  Town officials and the public health department have been working closely with Merrimack College and the Massachusetts DPH and have determined that these cases are isolated to the college.  

As of today, the town has a total of 76 active cases with 65 of those affiliated with the college.  

“It’s important to note that these cases were caught and the increased chance of spread mitigated by the college’s aggressive testing protocols and their commitment to safety for both the school community as well as the larger town community,” said Melissa Rodrigues, Town Manager.  “Their quick response in closing the affected dorm and implementing their safety plans helped to lessen the impacts and protected all of us.”

We will continue to vigilantly monitor public health data and take steps necessary to keep our community safe.  The Town is currently considered to be a yellow community, but anticipates that these new cases will cause the community to be classified as red under the state’s metrics.

“This is an instance where we have to consider much more than just numbers,” said Melissa Rodrigues, Town Manager.  “As we are considering how to make decisions based on the State’s classifications, we have to think about not just the number of cases, but also the clusters and how isolated these cases may be.  We will be working closely with the State to make certain that our community is safe.”

The Town encourages residents to continue to practice social distancing, diligent hand washing and consistent mask wearing.  

“We must continue to be diligent in order to mitigate the spread of Covid-19,” said Brian LaGrasse, Public Health Director.  “The Town has been working closely with Merrimack College to track positive cases and will contact anyone who has any potential exposures.”

We will provide updates if new information becomes available.  We are working closely with all stakeholders to make certain that the most up to date information is available.  

Don’t miss the 5th Listening Session of the Active Transportation in the Merrimack Valley from @MVPCPlanning, tonight at 6:00pm

Sarah Brush
The Merrimack Valley Active Transportation Plan will create a coordinated regional approach to bicycling, walking and other human-powered transportation as well as the connections to transit. Don't miss the 5th of the 5 part Listening Sessions of the Active Transportation in the Merrimack Valley. Focus of this session is on Andover and North Andover.
TONIGHT – Thursday, September 24 from 6:00 -7:00 pm

Please click here and scroll down to September 24, 2020 for instructions on joining  the listening sessions.

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Drive-Thru Flu Clinic for Veterans at Lowell VFW September 30th

Sarah Brush

BOSTON — In partnership with the Lowell VFW, VA Boston is hosting a mobile Drive-Thru, Flu Vaccine Clinic for VA enrolled Veterans on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 9 am – 1 pm, in the parking lot of the Lowell VFW, 190 Plain St. Lowell, MA.

VA enrolled Veterans can receive a standard flu shot, at no cost, with a Veteran ID, VA ID card, Veteran drivers license or social security number. 


The CDC urges everyone to receive a flu shot to prevent infection and complications associated with flu. Currently High Dose vaccine supply is limited and being distributed to those older inpatients and Veterans residing in VA Boston’s Community Living Center. Contact your VA primary care provider for information on high-dose vaccine.


“The VA continues to offer Veterans options when it comes to their health care,” said VA Boston Director Vincent Ng. “Receiving a vaccine remains the best way to prevent getting the flu,” he said.


Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever during 2020-2021 to protect yourself, your family and your community from flu. The CDC states that a flu vaccine this season can also help reduce the burden on our healthcare systems responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID-19 patients. September and October are good times to get a flu vaccine.


The more people vaccinated; the more people protected. Do your part. Get a flu vaccine this fall.


WHAT: VA Boston Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic


WHEN: Wednesday September 30, 2020, 9 am – 1 pm


WHERE: Lowell VFW Parking Lot, 190 Plain Street, Lowell, MA


WHO: Veterans enrolled in VA must have a VA ID, Veteran License, or a valid social  security number


VA Boston facility flu clinic schedules and free community options https://www.boston.va.gov/Flu_Shot_Clinics.asp

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Flu Clinics at @NA_SeniorCtr – September 30th and October 16th, 2020

Sarah Brush

North Andover

FLU VACCINE CLINIC

at the Senior Center


Wednesday, September 30th, 2020  

12pm-4pm  

&

Friday, October 16th, 2020 

10am-2pm

by appointment – SIGN UP HERE

(if you are unable to go online to make an appointment, please call the Health Department at (978 688-9540 to make one)

Vaccine for ages 19 and older including High Dose for 65 and older. 


RESIDENT CHECKLIST:

  • Complete the enclosed consent form and attach a copy of all your insurance cards to it.  Or bring all insurance cards with you to be scanned at the clinic. 
  • Be sure you are feeling well on the day of the clinic. If you have had a cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea within the last 2 days, or if you have been asked to isolate or quarantine due to COVID19, please do not attend the clinic. You can call the Health Department to set up a flu appointment for another time.   
  • Dress appropriately. You will be asked to wait outside until it is time for your appointment. Be sure to dress in layers and to have a shirt on where it is easy to access your upper arm for your shot. 
  • Wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. If you do not have a face mask, one will be provided for you when you arrive.
  • Arrive within your scheduled time. Time slots will be in 15 min increments. Arriving too early or too late may result in a longer wait time.  



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Not sure if you previously requested a vote by mail ballot?

Sarah Brush
MA state elections has recently mailed out vote by mail postcards.  If you did not receive one and you are not sure if you previously requested a vote by mail ballot,  go to www.sec.state.ma.us and navigate to “track my ballot.”  Once you complete the fields with your name and address, if it shows pending for the 11-3-2020 ballot, you are in the system to receive a ballot.  Once the ballots are received from the State, they will be mailed as soon as possible from the Town Clerk's Office.

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Have you received your INFORMATION FOR VOTERS booklet for the November 3rd State Election?

Sarah Brush
North Andover  – you should have received this informational booklet for the November 3rd State Election in your mail from State Elections.  Please keep in mind if you have already applied for an absentee / vote by  mail ballot, there is no need to send in another application.  If you are not sure, you can check https://www.sec.state.ma.us/wheredoivotema/track/trackmyballot.aspx.  If you are listed as pending, that means you are in the system to receive a ballot by mail as soon as they become available from the State.  If you're not sure if you are a registered voter, you can check your status at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/myvoterregstatus.aspx.
There will be two questions on the 11-3-2020 ballot.  This information for voters booklet provides a summary of each question to assist you in making your decision before you vote.  If you have not received this booklet, please call the Town Clerk's office at 978-688-9501, we have extra copies.
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