Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

May 18, 2021 UPDATE

Total case count: 3014

Active: 17

Recovered and out of isolation: 2910

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 87

Active Merrimack cases (included in case count): 2

Dear Neighbors,

This has been an exciting week of announcements from the Commonwealth as we move toward summer.

The Town is currently going through all of the new orders to make certain that we are complying with all the guidelines.

On May 29, the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.  All industries will be permitted to open, and capacity will be lifted to 100% for all industries.  The gathering restrictions will be lifted.  The face covering order will be rescinded and a new face covering advisory will be issued.  Non-vaccinated individuals are urged to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings.  The advisory will also recommend that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors, except for in certain situations.  Face coverings will still be required for all individuals on public and private transportation (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA/MVRTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), healthcare facilities and providers, congregate care settings and health and rehabilitative day services.

Face coverings will also still be required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers.

On June 15, the State of Emergency will be lifted by the Governor.  We are working with the Governor’s office to ensure an orderly transition for emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation.  These measures include restrictions on public meetings and the allowance of remote meetings.  There is a working group being formed by the state to sort through the different issues that communities will face as the reopening continues.  At this time, we anticipate that public meetings will return to normal operations effective May 29.  

Effective today, youth sports will no longer require face covering for youth athletes 18 and under while playing outdoor sports.  Coaches, referees and umpires still need to wear masks.  Effective May 29, all youth and amateur sport restrictions will be lifted.

Starting June 1st, all Town offices will resume regular hours.  Until then, Town Hall will remain open regular hours Monday through Thursday and closed to the public on Fridays.  The Senior Center is open for some drop-in and programming.  The Stevens Memorial Library is open to walk-ins Tuesday and Thursdays from 10:30AM-12PM and 1PM-3PM.  There are still appointment times available for those who want to browse with reduced capacity and curbside continues to be offered.

Wondering what to expect during an appointment at the mass vaccination site at the DoubleTree Hotel?  This informational (FAQs) and orientation video was produced in partnership with some North Shore Health Departments, a Middleton Board of Health Member and Essex Tech High School Film Department:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfapEjT4bNE.

Do you or a family member need transportation to a vaccine site?  The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) offers transportation to vaccine sites within the MVRTA service area.  If there is a need to go out of the MVRTA area, those requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Click here to learn more and to arrange a ride: http://www.mvrta.com/special-services/covid-19-vaccination-transportation-service/

The State has a FAQ page regarding the vaccine, which is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions

COVID-19 testing at the Stop the Spread sites is free, easy and painless.  Please consider getting tested over the next two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends.  A list of the sites can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread 

All of Governor Baker’s emergency orders can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency

We continue to encourage the community to stay diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Many of the things that 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. 

• 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.

Please join us in stressing this to your family, friends and neighbors.  

If you get a COVID-19 test for any reason, especially if you are not feeling well then please isolate until you receive your test results.  It is also important to isolate yourself from your family members if possible.  The majority of the transmission we are seeing is from household contacts.  Please be aware and protect your family.  These steps are of the utmost importance and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Due to the volume of positive cases across the State of Massachusetts, the Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC) was developed to aid Local Boards of Health in the tracing of close contacts in each community. By answering the call from the CTC, you can do your part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Your caller ID will show the call is coming from 
MA COVID Team with area codes (833) or (857).

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

Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

April 9, 2021 UPDATE

Total case count: 2804

Active: 78

Recovered and out of isolation: 2639

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 87

Active Merrimack cases (included in case count): 9

Dear Neighbors,

This week is National Public Health Week.  I hope you will join me in thanking and celebrating our amazing Health Department staff that have served us so well over the past year.  The pandemic has certainly thrust them into the limelight and they met the challenge every day.  I’m so proud to work with such a dedicated and talented group, and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to North Andover.

North Andover continues to be a yellow community on the Commonwealth Covid-19 data map.  At this time, 41 percent of North Andover residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 25% of the community is fully vaccinated.

Residents can pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/preregister-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-appointment.  On April 19 anyone over 16 years of age will be eligible to be vaccinated so please pre-register now! 

Residents can also call the state at 211 for assistance to pre-register for any state run clinic.  You may call 211 seven days a week.  

Wondering what to expect during an appointment at the mass vaccination site at the DoubleTree Hotel?  This informational (FAQs) and orientation video was produced in partnership with some North Shore Health Departments, a Middleton Board of Health Member and Essex Tech High School Film Department:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfapEjT4bNE.

Do you or a family member need transportation to a vaccine site?  The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) offers transportation to vaccine sites within the MVRTA service area.  If there is a need to go out of the MVRTA area, those requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Click here to learn more and to arrange a ride: http://www.mvrta.com/special-services/covid-19-vaccination-transportation-service/

The State has a FAQ page regarding the vaccine, which is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions

Phase 4 Step 1 will increase the gathering limits to 100 indoors and 150 outdoors and allow additional venues to open. The Massachusetts Travel Order has been revised and is now a Travel Advisory.  Information on Phase 4 Step 1 and the Travel Advisory can be found at https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-transition-to-phase-iv-of-reopening-plan

COVID-19 testing at the Stop the Spread sites is free, easy and painless.  Please consider getting tested over the next two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends.  A list of the sites can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread 

All of Governor Baker’s emergency orders can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency

Resources for Small Businesses:

Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA is currently offering:

• First Draw PPP Loans for first time program participants

• Second Draw PPP Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan

SBA is currently accepting Paycheck Protection Program PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

SBA also offers additional Coronavirus relief

Free Rapid COVID-19 Testing for Small Businesses

Small Business Strong is partnering with DPV Mobile Lab to provide free on-demand COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests to Massachusetts small businesses that have been hardest hit from the pandemic.

If you need your employees to get tested, please complete the form below. Eligible businesses that are selected will get FREE tests for all of their employers (no more than 10) at their place of business at no cost.

 Eligibility Criteria:

• Employer businesses with 1-10 employees located in Massachusetts.

• Must have had an employee exposed to COVID-19.

• Businesses in all industries may apply, but businesses in the food service and personal care industries will be prioritized.

Complete the form on SmallBStrong.com for assistance today! 

Technical Assistance

A directory of free technical assistance opportunities for small businesses is available here: mvopenforbusiness.org 

As more and more businesses, restaurants and activities remain open at a reduced capacity, we continue to encourage the community to stay diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Many of the things that 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. 

• 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.

Please join us in stressing this to your family, friends and neighbors.  

If you get a COVID-19 test for any reason, especially if you are not feeling well then please isolate until you receive your test results.  It is also important to isolate yourself from your family members if possible.  The majority of the transmission we are seeing is from household contacts.  Please be aware and protect your family.  These steps are of the utmost importance and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Due to the volume of positive cases across the State of Massachusetts, the Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC) was developed to aid Local Boards of Health in the tracing of close contacts in each community. By answering the call from the CTC, you can do your part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Your caller ID will show the call is coming from 
MA COVID Team with area codes (833) or (857).

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

Town of North Andover Updates on COVID-19 response

CONNECT WITH US: Text COVIDNA to 67283

April 2, 2021 UPDATE

Total case count: 2749

Active: 84

Recovered and out of isolation: 2578

COVID-19 Related Deaths: 87

Active Merrimack cases (included in case count): 10

Dear Neighbors,

North Andover continues to be a yellow community on the Commonwealth’s Community Data map.  We had an average daily incidence rate per 100,000 people over the 14 days considered of 28.5 and a positivity rate of 1.16 percent.  This was higher than the week before.

Please be safe over this holiday weekend.  We saw drastic increases in COVID cases after Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.  This virus spreads very easily at small indoor gatherings when people let their guard down at family gatherings.  Please take a look at our holiday guidance and we encourage residents to continue to use best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including avoiding gatherings, social distancing, diligent mask wearing and protecting our loved ones.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tFNmZ4I-gDVpeEEPZR3Drt5f44V5BYNB/view?usp=sharing

Currently 35% of North Andover residents have had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 22% of the Town is fully vaccinated.

Residents can pre-register for a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/preregister-for-a-covid-19-vaccine-appointment

Residents can also call the state at 211 for assistance to pre-register for any state run clinic.  You may call 211 seven days a week.  A representative will pre-register you to receive a vaccination and you will be contacted by your preferred method of contact when an appointment becomes available.  Once contacted you will be able to schedule your appointment date, time and location.

Wondering what to expect during an appointment at the mass vaccination site at the DoubleTree Hotel?  This informational (FAQs) and orientation video was produced in partnership with some North Shore Health Departments, a Middleton Board of Health Member and Essex Tech High School Film Department:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfapEjT4bNE.

Do you or a family member need transportation to a vaccine site?  The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) offers transportation to vaccine sites within the MVRTA service area.  If there is a need to go out of the MVRTA area, those requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Click here to learn more and to arrange a ride: http://www.mvrta.com/special-services/covid-19-vaccination-transportation-service/

The State has a FAQ page regarding the vaccine, which is available here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccine-frequently-asked-questions

Phase 4 Step 1 will increase the gathering limits to 100 indoors and 150 outdoors and allow additional venues to open. The Massachusetts Travel Order has been revised and is now a Travel Advisory.  Information on Phase 4 Step 1 and the Travel Advisory can be found at https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-transition-to-phase-iv-of-reopening-plan

COVID-19 testing at the Stop the Spread sites is free, easy and painless.  Please consider getting tested over the next two weeks to help stop the spread of COVID-19 to your family and friends.  A list of the sites can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread 

All of Governor Baker’s emergency orders can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-state-of-emergency

Resources for Small Businesses:

Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA is currently offering:

• First Draw PPP Loans for first time program participants

• Second Draw PPP Loans for certain businesses who have previously received a PPP loan

SBA is currently accepting Paycheck Protection Program PPP loan applications from participating lenders. Lender Match can help connect you with a lender. You can also view all lenders near you on a map.

SBA also offers additional Coronavirus relief

Free Rapid COVID-19 Testing for Small Businesses

Small Business Strong is partnering with DPV Mobile Lab to provide free on-demand COVID-19 Rapid Antigen tests to Massachusetts small businesses that have been hardest hit from the pandemic.

If you need your employees to get tested, please complete the form below. Eligible businesses that are selected will get FREE tests for all of their employers (no more than 10) at their place of business at no cost.

 Eligibility Criteria:

• Employer businesses with 1-10 employees located in Massachusetts.

• Must have had an employee exposed to COVID-19.

• Businesses in all industries may apply, but businesses in the food service and personal care industries will be prioritized.

Complete the form on SmallBStrong.com for assistance today! 

Technical Assistance

A directory of free technical assistance opportunities for small businesses is available here: mvopenforbusiness.org 

As more and more businesses, restaurants and activities remain open at a reduced capacity, we continue to encourage the community to stay diligent in preventing the spread of COVID-19.  Many of the things that 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. 

• 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.

Please join us in stressing this to your family, friends and neighbors.  

If you get a COVID-19 test for any reason, especially if you are not feeling well then please isolate until you receive your test results.  It is also important to isolate yourself from your family members if possible.  The majority of the transmission we are seeing is from household contacts.  Please be aware and protect your family.  These steps are of the utmost importance and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Due to the volume of positive cases across the State of Massachusetts, the Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC) was developed to aid Local Boards of Health in the tracing of close contacts in each community. By answering the call from the CTC, you can do your part in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.  Your caller ID will show the call is coming from 
MA COVID Team with area codes (833) or (857).

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