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Home / Latest / Summary of weekly COVID report, FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, updated candidate list, + more | April 30, 2021

Summary of weekly COVID report, FCC’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, updated candidate list, + more | April 30, 2021

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LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
APRIL 30, 2021


Weekly COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health

READ LAST WEEK’S SUMMARY BY CLICKING HERE

Map courtesy of WCVB, click for full-resolution image

Every Thursday 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 on March 12th, but returned to the red category on March 25th. Since returning to the red Lynn’s numbers have gone back up very quickly, which is bad news for Lynn as we have been hit hard throughout the pandemic. On February 8th Lynn passed 15,000 total cases and 2 weeks ago we passed 17,000. We currently stand at 17,377, an increase of 128 from last week.

After over a month of troubling increases, the City of Lynn has started to see decreases in the amount of people with COVID-19. The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 for Lynn this week was 23.9 while it was at 29.3, 35.1, 36.8, & 34.9 the last 4 weeks. The positivity rate this week was 4.32% while it was 4.68%, 5.53%, 5.77%, & 5.36% the last 4 weeks. Lynn currently has 262 active cases while the last four weeks it was 297, 405, 402, & 375. New 24-hour cases have been low with the occasional spike for months now, the largest single-day increase since the start of March was 75 on April 6th. Deaths have slowed in Lynn, with only 19 people that have died due to COVID-19 since March 1st. 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.

There has been concern a hesitancy towards the vaccine by some, the return of youth sports, re-opening schools to more in-person learning, & loosening restrictions could cause a spike in cases. With those factors in mind, and the continuing high numbers this spring, it is still recommended to take COVID-19 precautions seriously until you’ve been fully vaccinated. Because the vaccines do not entirely prevent the spread of COVID-19 it is advised to mask up and distance, even after the 2 week window for second doses to be at maximum effectiveness, to continue to mitigate the spread of the virus to those that haven’t or can’t get the vaccine yet. The United States is about to pass 100million people fully vaccinated (30.4% of the population), with almost half the population vaccinated with at least 1 dose. Please read about the Lynn Tech vaccination site by clicking here.

The state of Massachusetts as a whole has seen some negative trends finally stop, marking two weeks of positive trends in a row. The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 for MA this week was 20.0 while for the past 4 weeks it was 24.7, 27.4, 28.1, & 25.6. The positivity rate this week was 2.01% but the 4 weeks prior it had been 2.30%, 2.48%, 2.54%, & 2.36%. Back in early February the total number of communities in the red category in MA had rapidly declined, reaching a low of 14, but quickly rose back up close to 100. There has been a slow decline over the past several months, and currently MA has 26 communities in the red. The number of communities in the yellow has fluctuated due to communities changing categories from red to yellow and yellow to green, but has remained below 200 for months.

The United States currently has 32.3million cases, with cases averaging anywhere from 300-400K per week the last couple of months. There are currently 141million cases reported worldwide, up from 145million last week. Internationally cases have remained fairly constant, with at least 3million a week for months. However, there is concern as cases in India have surged in a dangerous second COVID-19 wave that began in late March. India has seen record-breaking increases in cases after reopening and loosening restrictions multiple days in a row, with 386,555  new cases & 3,498 deaths reported just yesterday. The medical infrastructure in that country has been devastated, with hospitals in short supply of everything from beds to oxygen.

Increases in new cases in the U.S. have dropped significantly, but are still fluctuating. At it’s height back in early January 300K+ new cases were reported with a 7-day average of 259,616. Yesterday 58,528 new cases were reported, with a 7-day average of 51,465. The death toll in the US now sits at approx. 575K, while it was at 570K, 565K, 560K, & 533K the previous 4 weeks. Last week the world passed 3million dead because of COVID-19. The good news in the U.S. is that deaths have been trending downwards fast since early February. Yesterday only 879 were declared dead due to COVID-19, & the 7-day average for deaths sits at 697.

In Massachusetts there are currently 26 communities in the red category & 173 in the yellow category. The last 4 weeks there were 48, 59, 77, & 55 communities in the red. The last 4 weeks there were 173, 170, 154, & 172 communities in the yellow.

Last week’s map courtesy of WCVB, click for full-resolution image

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 16,981 338 23.9 Lower 227,891 9,697 419 4.32% Lower
STATEWIDE 643,428 19,466 20.0 Lower 21,170,658 1,138,293 22896 2.01% Lower

If you would like to find out full statistics for the entire state, including maps & town-by-town data, you can find the raw data of these weekly reports (as an Excel file) from MA Dept. of Public Health by clicking here.

All information above was obtained via official state & federal sources.


Anyone over the age of 16 who lives, works, or studies in MA is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you haven’t yet preregistered for an appointment at one of the Commonwealth’s mass vaccination locations, now is the time. Learn more by clicking here and sign up by clicking 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.


Click for full resolution image

FCC to launch “Emergency Broadband Benefit Program” on May 12th

Click to find out if you qualify & how to participate

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, virtual classrooms, and so much more.

“We need to use all available tools to get 100% of us connected in this country and this program is an essential part of making that happen.” Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

About the Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Who Is Eligible for the Emergency Broadband
Benefit Program?

A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below:

  • Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
  • Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.

When Can I Sign Up for the Benefit?

As of May 12, 2021, eligible households will be able to enroll in the program to receive a monthly discount off the cost of broadband service from an approved provider. Eligible households can enroll through an approved provider or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.

Check out the Broadband Benefit Consumer FAQ for more information about the benefit and please continue to check this page for program updates.

Which Broadband Providers Are Participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit?

Various broadband providers, including those offering landline and wireless broadband, are participating in the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Find broadband service providers offering the Emergency Broadband Benefit in your state or territory.

The above information is courtesy of the FCC.


Click for full resolution image

Current list of candidates in 2021 City of Lynn Municipal Elections

Click to see our FREE election coverage

Below is a list of all candidates who have taken out nomination papers so far for the School Committee, City Council, & Mayoral races for this year’s elections. We will be conducting informal interviews with Mayoral candidates before our more formal interviews this summer, & will be linked below.

The City of Lynn is divided into 7 Wards, you can find out which Ward & Precinct you live in (and where you vote) by using this form. Each Ward gets one councilor specific to their ward, and there are 4 Councilors At-Large that cover the entire city. The School Committee is chaired by the Mayor and consists of 6 members that make decissions related to the Lynn Public Schools & Superintendent Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

The list below was provided to us by the City of Lynn Election Office,
and is current as of April 29th.

  • MAYOR – Darren Cyr (interview)  |  Jared Nicolson (interview)  |  Michael Satterwhite (interview)
  • COUNCILOR AT-LARGE – Buzzy Barton*  |  Jose Encarnacion    |  Brian Field*  |  Marven Hyppolite  |  Brian LaPierre*  |  Nicole McClain  |  Hong Net*
  • WARD 1 – Wayne Lozzi*
  • WARD 2 – Elizabeth Figueroa  |  Rick Starbard*
  • WARD 3 – Coco Alinsug**  |  Miguel Funez  |  George Meimeteas
  • WARD 4 – Richard Colucci*  |  Natasha Megie-Maddrey
  • WARD 5 – Dianna Chakoutis*  |  Sandra Suarez
  • WARD 6 – Fred Hogan*
  • WARD 7 – Jay Walsh*
  • SCHOOL COMMITTEE – Brian Castellanos*  |  Donna Coppola*  |  Eric Dugan  |  Lorraine Gately*  |  Sandra Lopez  |  Tiffany Magnolia  |  Rocio Mora  |  Lenny Pena  | Daniel Richard

 * denotes an incumbent     ** Currently on LCTV Board of Directors


Click for full resolution image

Face Coverings Continue to Be Required on MBTA Vehicles, Stations, Platforms 

The MBTA is reminding customers that face coverings continue to be required while onboard vehicles, on station platforms, and within the MBTA system for all riders, including those who have been fully vaccinated.

On April 27, 2021, both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Baker-Polito Administration updated guidance regarding face coverings for fully vaccinated individuals. While the CDC and the Commonwealth’s guidance relax the need for face coverings in some settings, face coverings are still required while riding MBTA vehicles and within the MBTA system. This includes outdoor bus stops and all outdoor platforms for the Commuter Rail, subway, and trolley systems.

Effective April 30, 2021, civil fines related to MBTA face covering enforcement efforts are no longer in effect, though those who refuse to comply with the face covering requirement may be denied boarding of or be removed from MBTA vehicles and the system.

There continue to be exemptions to the face covering requirement for individuals with certain medical conditions and those who are so exempt do not need to produce documentation of their condition.

For more information, please visit mbta.com, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, on Facebook /TheMBTA, or on Instagram @theMBTA.

The above press release was submitted to us by the MBTA.



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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 255 with 15 new cases today. 16,923 Lynn residents have recovered and 214 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 17,392. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.

City of Lynn COVID-19 Virtual Town Halls ON Wednesday, May 5 (English) & Thursday May 6 (Spanish)

 

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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