LYNN NEWS ROUND-UP
MARCH 5, 2021
See our COVID-19 related posts by clicking here.
Lynn is currently in Phase 3, Step 1 of Reopening. Click here for more info.
The state of MA is slowly reopening throughout the month of March.
Click here for more info.
Learn about the Lynn Tech vaccination site & watch a
video tour 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 is still a high-risk community, passing 15,000 total cases 3 weeks ago. Lynn currently has approx. 291 active cases but the last three weeks we had 270, 449, & 1,100 active cases. This is the lowest amount of active cases in Lynn since last spring & new cases have been at the lowest point we’ve seen since October. Another piece of promising news is that only 6 deaths have been reported since Feb. 20th.
Overall the numbers are trending very well for Lynn, but caution is still urged. There is concern a lack of vaccine availability, the coming warmer weather, & 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.
The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 for Lynn this week was 26.1. The last 4 weeks it was at 31.4, 43.7, 57.2, & 71.2. The positivity rate this week was 4.37%. The last 4 weeks this rate was 5.32%, 6.89%, 8.19%, & 9.12%. These are all 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 23.3. The last 4 weeks it has been 23.3, 30.0, 38.5, & 48.9. The positivity rate this week was 1.93%. The last 4 weeks it has been 2.15%, 2.70%, 3.40%, 4.32%, & 5.51%. Last week we have dipped below 30 communities in the red category, something we haven’t seen in months. This week it has gone down even more. Unfortunately Lynn continues to be in the red, as it has been since the start of this classification system.
The United States currently has 28.9 million cases, up from 28.4 million last week. The US had consistently added 1 million cases a week for several weeks, however there have now been 3 weeks in a row where that hasn’t happened. There are currently 116 million cases reported worldwide, up from 113 million last week. New case numbers have dropped significantly & and deaths have remained fairly consistent since the surge from the holidays in January. 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 67,415 new cases reported and a 7-day average of 62,924.
The death toll in the US now sits at approx. 520K, up from 508K last week & 493K the week before. This accounts for 20% of the worldwide death toll, and is double the amount of the country with the second-highest total deaths: Brazil. The good news is that deaths are trending downwards, but are still at the levels we first saw back in April 2020. The current 7-day average for deaths in the United States sits at 1,703.
In Massachusetts there are currently 19 communities in the red category & 178 in the yellow category. The last 4 weeks there were 28, 66, 120, & 153. communities in the red. The last 4 weeks there were 190, 166, 137, & 108 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 | 15,324 | 369 | 26.1 | Lower | 186,854 | 10,296 | 450 | 4.37% | Lower |
| STATEWIDE | 553,220 | 20,763 | 21.3 | Lower | 16,419,989 | 1,246,187 | 24,038 | 1.93% | Lower |
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.
Schedule an appointment at the Lynn Tech Vaccination site by clicking here.
For phasing details and the most up-to-date status of where MA is in our vaccination timeline please click here.
Essex County Community Foundation announces new committee to help advance racial equity and justice in Essex County
A 13-member committee made up of a diverse cross-section of local leaders is joining Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) – a nonprofit serving the 34 cities and towns of Essex County – in implementing a new strategy designed to advance racial equity and racial justice within the organization and throughout Essex County.
“The events of the past year have revealed the depths of racial inequity that exist in our country, and right here in Essex County,” said ECCF President and CEO Beth Francis. “It became clear that it was time for the foundation, as a leader in the community, to mobilize and take action, and we are so fortunate to have such a passionate group of individuals working with us to move our region forward.”
The racial equity committee is being chaired by Essex County resident Ana Colmenero, who began working with ECCF in 2017, first as a charter member of the steering committee for ECCF’s Creative County Initiative and more recently as a member of the foundation’s board of trustees.
“I am so honored to be a part of this critical work that will ultimately help to tear down walls built by decades of structural racism,” said Colmenero. “By working together as a community, I believe we can make changes in Essex County that lead it to becoming a more just and equitable region for all residents.”
Additional committee members, chosen for their knowledge and understanding of the way racial inequities and injustice impact the region, include: Karen Ansara, Noemi Custodia-Lora, Dean Marsh, Felicia Pierce, Elsabel Rincon, Pedro Soto, Claudia Fox Tree, John Wang and ECCF Board members John Colucci, Bob Goldman, Christine Ortiz and Anita Worden.
How We Got Here
The decision to embed racial equity and justice as a foundational piece to all of ECCF’s work came last year, as COVID began to disproportionately ravage communities of color, awareness of violence against Black people increased, and events surrounding the presidential election revealed the depth of our nation’s veiled racism. In the spring of 2020, ECCF began to intentionally seek out ways to more deeply understand longstanding racial inequities that exist right here in own back yards and explore the role the foundation could play in advancing a more racially just and equitable Essex County.
The new committee will advise ECCF staff and trustees in its current and evolving racial equity work and hold the organization accountable for the actions needed to effectively bring about change.
The process will be guided by the following pillars, developed as part of a larger, thoughtfully crafted plan, which will serve to ground the work we do every day – both internally and externally – in our cities and towns:
- Listen, Learn and Reflect. ECCF, as part of its learning process, continuously reflects on why and how racial inequities exist to inform our work and spur action and change within the organization and throughout our region.
- Organizational Action. ECCF and its work are grounded in equitable and inclusive practices, creating conditions and modeling actions that advance racial equity towards a racially just world.
- Systemic Change. ECCF, in its role as a community leader, inspires philanthropy and influences efforts that result in more equitable systems and structures, giving greater access and opportunity to all in Essex County.
“Racial injustice did not happen overnight, nor will we reverse it overnight,” said Francis. “We are learning, changing and growing within our organization every day, and as we advance this critical work, we look forward to collaborating with others who share our vision and passion for a more just and equitable Essex County.”
For more info. about ECCF’s racial equity work, please click here.
About ECCF
The mission of Essex County Community Foundation is to inspire philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County. We do this by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits and engaging in strategic community leadership. Since 1998, ECCF and its family of 250 charitable funds have granted $107 million to nonprofits, schools and students in Essex County and beyond. Our ultimate goal is to have 34 thriving cities and towns in Essex County and to improve the quality of life for the region’s nearly 800,000 residents. Learn more at eccf.org.
Greater Lynn Senior Services & Lynn Community Health Center release vaccine videos in English, Spanish, & Russian
Information and guidance around the COVID vaccines can be confusing. Lynn Community Health Center’s Dr. Catherine Reyes provides safety tips and encouragement for people not yet vaccinated.
Spanish:
Russian:
Arts After Hours announces
“10-Minute Play Contest”
Arts After Hours is proud to announce our 10-Minute Play Contest to promote new works by local playwrights. Arts After Hours hopes to provide a creative outlet for theatre artists (writers, actors, creative teams) while presenting our audiences with new material.
The livestream event of the winning plays will be a pay-what-you-can fundraiser for our theater.
GUIDELINES
- Any playwrights (ages 14+) regardless of background or experience are encouraged to submit a new play with a 10-minute maximum duration by March 15th via this form.
- Any and all genres and themes are welcome! Arts After Hours strongly encourages submissions by BIPOC writers, first-time playwrights, Lynn residents, and playwrights of all genders.
QUICK LINKS
- Submit Your Play Here!
- Questions or comments? Email Samantha@artsafterhours.com
COVID-19 relief & vaccine updates
from the state
Below are excerpts from three press releases related to COVID-19 relief and vaccine distribution from Gov. Charlie Baker’s office. These pieces of news were released this week, and more information for each will be linked after each summary.
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Baker-Polito Administration Announces K-12 Educators, Child Care Workers and K-12 School Staff Eligible for Vaccine Appointments Starting March 11th & Vaccine Appointment Availability for Next Week
The Baker-Polito Administration announced that K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff will be eligible to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments starting March 11. This group of workers will join the current eligible groups (including 65+ and individuals with 2+ certain medical conditions). Educators may book appointments at all 170 sites currently open to eligible residents in Massachusetts by visiting www.mass.gov/covidvaccinemap .
There are approximately 400,000 K-12 educators, child care workers and K-12 school staff in Massachusetts. Due to a severely constrained federal supply and the existing population that is currently eligible for vaccines, it is estimated that it will take a month for all eligible individuals to secure a first appointment. This timeframe is only subject to change if federal supply increases dramatically, including the recently authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
The COVID-19 Command Center was notified that Massachusetts is receiving only one shipment of 58,000 doses for the month of March. These doses have been allocated – primarily to hospitals and health systems. Based on information the Commonwealth has received from the federal government, the Administration does not expect to be able to order more J&J doses until the end of March or early April.
Read the full press release with more information by clicking here.
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Baker-Polito Administration Announces Transition of Fenway Park Mass Vaccination Site to Hynes Convention Center
The Baker-Polito Administration announced the transition of the Fenway Park mass vaccination site to the Hynes Convention Center. CIC Health will launch the Hynes Convention Center site on Thursday, March 18. The last day for appointments at Fenway Park will be Saturday, March 27. The two sites will overlap for approximately a week as the Hynes site ramps up capacity. All individuals that were vaccinated at Fenway Park and have a second dose appointment scheduled will be able to receive their second dose at Hynes. CIC Health will send individuals with appointments details via email.
Read the full press release with more information by clicking here.
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Baker-Polito Administration Awards Nearly $40 Million in Grants to 1,026 Additional Businesses for COVID Relief
The Baker-Polito Administration announced approximately $39.7 million in awards for 1,026 additional businesses in the ninth round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). As in prior rounds, each grant recipient meets sector and demographic priorities set for the two grant programs administered by MGCC.
With the addition of this round of grants, the Administration has awarded over $602 million in direct financial support to 13,346 businesses across the Commonwealth.
Read the full press release with more information by clicking here.
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 291 with 27 new cases today. 15,192 Lynn residents have recovered and 198 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 15,681. Please visit the City of Lynn COVID-19 Data Dashboard which is updated daily.
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 visit https://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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