Town reports 99 newly confirmed cases over the past week; no new deaths
There were 99 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past seven days through Wednesday (May 18), according to Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. This week’s positive COVID cases reported to the town by the state Department of Public Health (DPH) increased the overall total to 9,082 confirmed cases, according to Crabtree. There have been more than 300 confirmed cases over the past five weeks, as the virus continues to hang around – causing some people to continue wearing masks at Town Hall even though they are optional.
Meanwhile, the number of confirmed COVID-related deaths reported since the outbreak of the Coronavirus in March of 2020 remained at 90. Ten weeks ago, total Saugus deaths related to COVID-19 were listed at 106. But that number was reduced to 88 because of a change in the guidelines used by health officials.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said.
Meanwhile, there was a slight drop in confirmed COVID-19 cases reported throughout Saugus Public Schools, going from 39 last week (during the period of May 5-11) to 33 this week (during the period of May 12 -18).
The town’s Public Health Nurse, Teresa Riley-Singh, told the Board of Health at last week’s meeting (May 9) that there were 243 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Saugus last month. “I do not think that 243 is accurate because a lot of people are testing at home,” she said.
But she noted that there were no deaths over the month. “I think it’s great,” she said.
In April of 2020, there were 288 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths reported in Saugus, according to Riley-Singh. In April of last year, there were 244 confirmed COVID-19 cases and two deaths related to the virus, she said.
Riley-Singh told the Board of Health that health officials are expecting “a surge in a couple of months.” The positive news, she stressed, is that the number of COVID-19-related deaths has declined sharply.