Below is a statement we received from Mayor McGee’s office on Monday, April 6, 2020.
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The Lynn Public Health Department has confirmed that as of today, April 6, 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 264 and 3 Lynn residents have died. Patients have received the required quarantine instructions and officials within the Lynn Department of Public Health continue to monitor the positive cases and conduct extensive tracing investigations. Anyone who has been confirmed to come in direct contact with these patients has been or will be notified by their local Board of Health.
Social and physical distancing remains the primary strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19, as recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In addition to the guidance previously issued around social and physical distancing, which include staying home and maintaining a distance of 6 feet or more from others, today we are asking residents to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose whenever in public. It is advised that residents use cloth or homemade face covering, as opposed to medical grade facemasks, in order to preserve protective equipment for health workers and those serving on the front lines in response to COVID-19.
“If you really want to support health care workers, first responders and other essential employees, please stay home,” said Mayor Thomas M. McGee. “The actions we are asking you to take now and over the course of the next several weeks will help curb the spread of this virus and save lives, If you have to go out to pick up essential items, make sure you practice social distancing and stay 6 feet away from others at all times, wear a mouth and face covering and continue to wash your hands often. We will get through this together as we continue to work towards mitigating community spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve.”
The CDC estimates that nationally, 25 percent of people infected with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, and may not know they are a carrier of the virus, or that they could be infecting others.
We are strongly encouraging everyone to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when in public:
- In addition to practicing social distancing when going out in public for an essential trip to a supermarket or pharmacy, wearing face covers will help to reduce the risk of a person spreading the virus, especially if they do not know they are sick.
- Face coverings should be worn anytime someone is outside the home, including on walks or other passive recreational activities.
- Face coverings should not be placed on children under 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.
- Face coverings can include a cloth, scarf, bandana, etc. that cover a person’s mouth and nose. Homemade face coverings should be made of intact, close-weave cloth and allow comfortable breathing. Visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth- face-coverings.html for more information and guidance.
- Face coverings should be frequently washed using a washing machine with detergent and hot water and dried on a hot cycle. They can also be hand washed with soap and warm water and left to dry.
Recommendations for people who are at higher risk:
- People over 65 and those with underlying health conditions should be taking extra precautions. Trips outside the house should only be made when absolutely necessary, for either food or medications.
- In addition, taking walks or spending time outside is discouraged for the next few weeks, and exercising inside the home instead is encouraged as an alternative.
- The underlying health conditions that can put someone more at risk are very common and include asthma, lung diseases such as COPD, diabetes, heart conditions, kidney or liver disease or conditions that can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment and smoking.
According to the CDC, coronavirus is spread mainly through person-to-person contact. It’s believed that people who are in close contact (within 6 feet of one another) are most likely to spread it. It spreads through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of anyone nearby and may be inhaled into the lungs, which can spread the disease.
We will continue to provide regular updates on COVID-19 on the City website, social media, and through the Smart 911 emergency notification system as the situation evolves. We encourage all residents to visit the City of Lynn Health Department “Coronavirus Resources” page which includes information and links from the CDC, and to sign up for the Smart 911 updates
at www.smart911.com.
We thank you for your patience, understanding and cooperation as we work to mitigate this current public health emergency.
Please follow www.lynnma.gov for more updates.
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