LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
MARCH 19, 2021
See our COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.
Lynn municipal buildings will reopen to the public starting March 22nd.
Click here for more info.
The state of MA will advance to Step 1 of Phase IV on March 22 & replace Travel Order with Travel Advisory.
Click here for more info.
COVID Vaccine Clinics now available for Lynn Educators.
Click here for more info.
Read about new updates on in-person learning, special education, + more from Lynn Public Schools by clicking here.
Weekly COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health
Every week the MA Dept. of Public Health releases numbers for how COVID-19 has impacted the state, and we try to highlight some of these numbers so the community is informed about how COVID is impacting Lynn & the state. Their numbers factor in the past week as well as the week before, giving 2 weeks worth of data.
The City of Lynn officially entered the yellow COVID-19 risk category for the first time last week. For the duration of the pandemic Lynn has been hit hard, staying in the red category until this point and passing 15,000 total cases last month. Lynn currently has 306 active cases, down from 1,100 just last month. New 24-hour cases have not risen above 81 & 29 people have died since the start of February, both statistics tredning in a positive direction for the city.
While this news is a sigh of relief for many it doesn’t mean Lynn is in the clear yet, as Lynn’s numbers worsened slightly this week. We have more active cases, higher positivcity rates, & higher daily incidence rates than we did last week. However, these are not enough to warrant going back into the red category yet, for that to happen Lynn would need to surpass to 4% positivity rate threshold. If you’re curious about last week’s numbers you can click here to view them and compare yourself.
Overall the numbers & news are very positive for Lynn, but caution is still urged. There is concern a lack of vaccine availability, the coming warmer weather, re-opening schools to in-person learning, & loosening restrictions could cause a spike in cases. With those factors in mind it is still recommended to take COVID-19 seriously until you’ve been fully vaccinated, & even after to still mask up and distance for at least a little while to help mitigate the spread to ensure those that aren’t able to get the vaccine yet remain healthy. Please read about the Lynn Tech vaccination site by clicking here.
The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 for Lynn this week was 22.3 while it was at 21.8, 26.1, 31.4, & 43.7 the last 4 weeks. The positivity rate this week was 3.81% while it was 3.63%, 4.37, 5.32%, & 6.89% the last 4 weeks. These are both very positive trends for Lynn, which hasn’t seen consistently good numbers like this for months. You can view these trends for Lynn yourself on the City of Lynn’s COVID-19 dashboard by clicking here. You can click the icon in the top-right corner of each section to see it enlarged.
The state of Massachusetts has also seen some positive trends overall. The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 for MA this week was 19.5 while for the past 4 weeks it was 20.3, 23.3, 30.0, & 38.5. The positivity rate this week was 1.83%, the same as last week. The 4 weeks prior it had been 1.93%, 2.15%, 2.70%, 3.40%, & 4.32%. The past few weeks the number of communities in the red category has rapidly declined, with under 20 now but reaching well past 100 throughout February. The number of communities in the yellow has fluctuated due to communities changing categories, however this number has also been trending promisingly overall.
The United States currently has 29.7 million cases, up only 400K from last week. There are currently 122 million cases reported worldwide, up from 119 million last week. Internationally cases have remained fairly constatnt, with at least 3million more a week for several weeks now. Increases in case numbers in the U.S. have dropped significantly, with well over a month not seeing more than 1 million more cases a week. At it’s height back in early January 208,336 new cases were reported with a 7-day average of 254,873. Currently there are only 60,859 new cases reported and a 7-day average of 54,740.
The death toll in the US now sits at approx. 539K while it was at 530K, 520K, 508K, & 493K the previous 4 weeks. This accounts for 20% of the worldwide death toll, and is about double the amount of the country with the second-highest total deaths: Brazil (287K). The good news is that deaths are trending downwards, but are still at the levels we first saw back in April 2020. Yesterday 1,558 were declared dead due to COVID-19, & the current 7-day average for deaths sits at 1,265.
In Massachusetts there are currently 20 communities in the red category & 175 in the yellow category. The last 4 weeks there were 14, 19, 28, & 66 communities in the red. The last 4 weeks there were 181, 178, 190, & 166 communities in the yellow.
The MA Department of Public Health continues to conduct surveillance for COVID-19 variants of concern including B.1.1.7 (first identified in the UK), B.1.351 (first identified in South Africa) and P.1 (first identified in Brazil).
Surveillance, consisting of genetic sequencing on portions of COVID-19 positive specimens, has been ongoing in a collaboration between the Massachusetts State Public health Laboratory with clinical diagnostic laboratories and academic partners, including the CDC. Surveillance data so far has identified B.1.1.7 and the B.1.351 cases without any recent travel; it is critical to do everything possible to keep variants of concern from becoming widespread.
The public health risk reduction measures remain the same. Individuals must continue to wear masks or face coverings while out in public, maintain 6-foot social distancing, stay home when you are sick, and get tested if you have symptoms or are identified as a close contact
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Below are the statistics for Lynn & the state.
| City/Town | Total Case Count | Case Count (Last 14 Days) | Average Daily Incidence Rate per 100,000 (Last 14 days) | Relative Change in Case Counts | Total Tests | Total Tests (Last 14 days) | Total Positive Tests (Last 14 days) | Percent Positivity (Last 14 days) | Change in Percent Positivity |
| Lynn | 15,664 | 315 | 22.3 | Higher | 196,675 | 9,818 | 374 | 3.81% | Higher |
| STATEWIDE | 572,278 | 19,036 | 19.5 | Lower | 17,607,605 | 1,193,281 | 21,789 | 1.83% | N/A |
If you would like to find out full statistics for the entire state, including maps & town-by-town data, you can find the full weekly report from MA Dept. of Public Health by clicking here (link downloads a PDF).
Previous Weekly Public Health Reports can be found by clicking here.
All information above was obtained via official state & federal sources.
Find a mass vaccine location near you by clicking here. For phasing details and the most up-to-date vaccination timeline please click here.
A vaccination site has opened at Lynn Tech for Lynners.
Find out more & watch a video tour by clicking here.
Schedule an appointment by clicking here.
‘HOUSING LYNN’ PLAN FINALIZED WITH PUBLIC INPUT
Resident & city leaders invited to read final draft before
plan is presented for adoption
Announcing a new plan for inclusive housing growth in Lynn! After 15 months of community engagement and technical analysis, this final draft now includes updates based on nearly 100 public comments received throughout January.
“Housing Lynn: A plan for inclusive growth” is a community-driven document drafted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) in partnership with the City and the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development. It establishes the following vision for the City of Lynn: “Lynn’s housing will be safe, affordable, and accessible. New housing will meet the needs of Lynn residents and increase the strength and vibrancy of neighborhoods. Housing will enable everyone to thrive in a community is inclusive to all.”
“The City of Lynn is committed to providing safe, inclusive, and affordable housing for all Lynn residents,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “’Housing Lynn: A plan for inclusive growth’ provides the city with a comprehensive framework and actionable recommendations to make that goal a reality. It is the result of many months of intense collaboration and community input. I want to thank our partners at LHAND, MAPC, city officials, and members of the public for their work in putting this well thought out, balanced plan together.”
The plan was informed by community input received at workshops, forums, online open houses, and during a three-week public comment period. These events brought more than 650 people together across the project’s timeline. The process also included a development webinar featuring Chrystal Kornegay of MassHousing, Andrew DeFranza of Harborlight Community Partners, and Matt Zahler of MPZ Development.
“The recommendations in this plan will produce an infrastructure with lasting changes that will stabilize and protect residents as we invest in housing development in Lynn,” said Charles Gaeta, LHAND Executive Director. “The creation of this plan was an enormous undertaking and I am appreciative of all those that participated and contributed. We heard from many passionate residents and this is their plan.”
Housing Lynn includes a robust assessment of housing need in Lynn, a plan vision and goals, analysis of development constraints and opportunities, consideration of the city’s current housing toolkit, and recommended actions that will help advance Affordable Housing production, preservation, and tenant protections.
In order for the plan to be submitted to the state for approval as a formal Housing Production Plan under MGL Chapter 40B, it must first be adopted by the Lynn City Council and Planning Board. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming public meetings where the plan will be voted on.
For more information about the plan, contact Karina Milchman, Chief of Housing + Neighborhood Development at MAPC, kmilchman@mapc.org or Jeff Weeden, of the Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development, at jweeden@lhand.org.
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
MIAA Board of Directors Approves Spring Season State Tournament Extension
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Board of Directors approved a MIAA sponsored post season sectional tournament for the 2021 spring season at their March 12, 2021 meeting. The MIAA Board held a follow up meeting today, March 17, 2021, to review spring tournament survey data received from member school principals and athletic directors as requested at the March 12, 2021 meeting. The survey gathered feedback on potential MIAA spring tournament extension to include state semi-final and final rounds.
The MIAA Board of Directors approved the extension of a MIAA spring tournament to include a semi-final and final round. The MIAA Tournament Management Committee is tasked with creating a tournament schedule and guidelines which includes state semi- final and final rounds.
The MIAA Board of Directors affirmed the previously established cut-off date of June 15, 2021 to remain as a directive to the Tournament Management Committee when establishing scheduling guidelines.
MIAA President Jeffrey Granatino stated, “I’m glad that the collective work of our Board of Directors, Covid-19 Task Force and Tournament Management Committee has allowed for us to not only have an upcoming spring season, but one which will provide for a sectional and statewide tournament. It has not been an easy task but it is one that has always the best interests of our student-athletes in mind.”
The Tournament Management Committee will meet to establish the MIAA state tournament schedule which will be available as soon as possible.
Bill Gaine, MIAA Executive Director commented, “Affording our spring season student- athletes a full tournament opportunity is a credit to our Association’s Standing Committees. The special nature of this Spring Tournament structure is that it is an opt- in as well as an opt-out opportunity, thus providing member schools to determine their own path.”
The above press release is courtesy of the MA Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Nomination paper for 2021 Lynn election will be available starting Monday
NUMBER OF SIGNATURES NEEDED FOR THE OFFICE OF:
-
Click for full resolution image of political calendar MAYOR | 500 signatures not more than 150 of which shall be from any one Ward.
- COUNCILOR AT LARGE OR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER | 350 signatures, not more than 100 of which shall be from any one Ward.
Study for your HiSET while receiving free machinist prep training at NSCC
Boost your career prospects even if you don’t have a HS diploma or credentials! Take the first step towards improving your future – enroll in a free HiSET class at North Shore Community College and work to pass the HiSET exams and, at the same time, get free machinist prep training.
With more than 150 machining companies on the North Shore, the manufacturing industry is actively looking to hire trained workers. Entry-level salaries for machinists run between $30,000 and $40,000.
Classes begin in April. Find out more by attending a free virtual information session – email Susan Ryan at sryan@northshore.edu
The above press release was submitted to us by North Shore Community College.
GALA seeks abstract & minimalist art for upcoming virtual/in-person art show
#callforart at GALA – Abstract Art and Minimalist Art from April 1st to May 14th with open gallery hours. It will also be virtual. Entry is done through our online submission form (Click here). From there, you will have access to a link to make a drop off appointment for the work to be juried. Appointments are required to insure everyone’s safety.
- Wednesday, March 24th from 11:00AM to 7:00PM
- Thursday, March 25th from 3:00PM to 5:00PM
- Friday, March 26th for 3:00PM to 5:00PM
- Saturday, March 27th from 2:00 to 6:00PM
Click for full resolution images
From Mayor McGee’s office: The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, the number of active, confirmed positive COVID-19 cases is 322 with 36 new cases today. 15,535 Lynn residents have recovered and 203 have died. The total number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Lynn since March 21, 2020, including those who have died and recovered, is 16,060. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.
As of Thursday, March 18th, 22,426 Lynn residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine, which is approximately 22% of our population. 11,777 Lynn residents have been fully vaccinated, or 12% of our population. This information can be found on the new weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Data report released today by the State with a new breakdown by Municipal Zip Code. You can find the full report by searching for “Weekly COVID-19 Municipality Vaccination Data Report” at this link.
COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available at Lynn Tech Fieldhouse for people who live or work in Lynn & Nahant or are Lynn Community Health Center Patients and meet state eligibility requirements (Massachusetts Phase 1 & Phase 2 Step 1 & 2: 65 year of age or older or with two or more chronic health conditions. Educators are eligible March 11. Residents age 75+ may be accompanied by one caregiver who can book an appointment themselves.) Please visithttps://www.lchcnet.org/covid-19-vaccine-scheduling to make an appointment online. Residents without access to the Internet can call 2-1-1 to make an appointment 7 days a week.
Please visit http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/covid19/resources.shtml#p7GPc1_2 for the most up to date COVID-19 testing information, as well as more detailed information on the State and City of Lynn’s Reopening Guidelines. We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 through the City website (www.lynnma.gov), social media, and the Smart 911 emergency notification system (sign up at www.smart911.com).
If you have a news story that you would like to share, please contact us via email or call 781-780-9460.
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