LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
AUGUST 12, 2020

See our other COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.

In case you missed it: Yesterday we announced the launch of the new radio scanner section on our website. Now you can listen to the scanners for the Lynn Police, Lynn Fire, & MA State Police on our website whenever you wish! Click here to see the scanners.

State designates Lynn as 1 of 4
highest risk cities in state

Yesterday the Baker-Polito Administration released additional data on community level spread of COVID-19 in order to target additional resources and implement community specific strategies to stop the spread of the virus.

Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town has been designated as a higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk community. Going forward, this information will be updated and included in the Department of Public Health’s weekly public health dashboard, which is published each Wednesday.

Lynn is 1 of 4 cities in the state currently in the higher risk (red) category, meaning that we have over 8 cases per 100K. The other three cities were Chelsea, Everett, & Revere. Any city or town designated higher risk is considered to have a high level of COVID-19 infection, and will receive additional support from the Commonwealth to address the spread of the virus.

29 cities and towns were in the moderate risk (yellow) category with 4-8 cases per 100K, 72 are in the lower risk (green) category with less than 4 cases per 100K, & the majority of the state’s cities and towns are reporting under 5 cases (mostly in Central & Western MA).

Over the last 14 days Lynn’s total case count is 225, average positivity rate is 6.1%, & average daily cases per 100K is 15.9. The combination of these data points makes Lynn one of the top hotspots in the state, if not the top hotspot. The above data is available for all 351 cities and towns over the last two weeks, and you can find that data from the state by clicking here.

Yesterday in a post from his official Facebook account Mayor McGee said the following:

“Our Public Health Department and Mass Gatherings Task Force will continue to work with the Administration and with our local health care providers to address the key factors of testing, contact tracing, and enforcement of health protocols. If you receive a call that you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, it is important to cooperate and be forthcoming about your whereabouts with the contact tracers, in order to stop the spread. You are not getting anyone in trouble, in fact, you are keeping others safe. It is vital that you stay home if you are sick and if you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 please go and get tested.

Our community has worked too hard to get here and we need to continue to be diligent and focus on continuing to follow and comply with the state guidelines pertaining to social distancing, personal hygiene, wearing face covering at all times when interacting with others, and especially not gathering with people beyond those you live with. Our ability to follow these guidelines, will determine how we limit the spread in our community and ensure we keep our community safe.”

The mobile COVID-19 test site at Lynn English parking lot will be open with limited hours from 10AM-1PM Thursday, August 13th and Friday August 14th. Please call 774-264-0604 to make an appointment.

COVID-19 testing info. for this week can be found by clicking here.

Lynn Police Dept. introduces new Bike Patrol Team downtown

From the Lynn Police Department: If you have visited the downtown area recently you may have seen our newly formed Central Business District (CBD) Bike Patrol Team in action. The team’s neon green uniform makes them easily recognizable. As the population of the downtown area continues to grow, we recognized a greater need for a unit to specifically address the diverse concerns of the residents and business owners.

The CBD team is designed to patrol the downtown and deal with issues, such as anti-social behavior, that affect the quality of life for people visiting or residing in the area. The unit’s primary mode of transportation is the bike, which allows them to move around quickly but still have the ability to easily interact with people. The team consists of five officers and a sergeant who utilize a variety of solutions to the problems that they encounter.

The officers frequently refer people or problems to other agencies that can provide additional assistance. The officers then have the opportunity to follow-up on the issues to make sure that they are resolved. The team is frequently accompanied by a member of our Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) who can offer a wide variety of services. Many of the individuals that the officers’ encounter need help with issues such as mental health or addiction and BHU is there, meeting people where they are, to offer immediate assistance.

Sergeant Ashley Affonco, Officer Tom Morley, Officer Geo Lopez, Officer John Mackin, Officer Markanthony Williams, Officer Pete Alexander, Officer Taylor Haberek and Shyra Broughton from BHU comprise the team whose problem-solving approach includes much more than the traditional style of policing.

The CBD team was slated to begin in late March but due to the coronavirus the bike patrols were delayed until June. The CBD Bike Patrol Team is funded by an Executive Office of Public Safety and Security staffing grant.

Donations & volunteers needed

The Salvation Army is in desperate need of volunteers!
They need people who can work 9:00 am -12:00 pm at their food pantry. Those interested can go to the Salvation Army at 1 Franklin Street between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

For more information contact Helen Johnson via email by clicking here.

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The Wyoma, Shoe City, and Lynn Lions Clubs are collecting school supply donations for their 2nd Annual School Supply Collection for Children in Lynn Shelter Association Care.

The drop Off Deadline is September 1st,  preferably before that. You can drop off donations at 49 Hawthorne Street in Lynn

Please call Donna Hartshorn (781-599-1385) if you cannot meet the deadline. Other arrangements can be made to accommodate your donation.

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 665 with 17 new cases today. 3,484 Lynn residents have recovered and 111 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 4,260. Please visit the new City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.

Here are some helpful tips for wearing a face covering correctly. You can learn more about the importance of wearing a face covering here. Face Coverings should: