Town of Nahant Urges Residents Remain Vigilant as COVID-19 Cases Decrease

NAHANT — The Board of Health reports that the Town of Nahant has seen a decrease in positive COVID-19 cases recently, resulting in a lowered risk designation from the Commonwealth. 

Town officials report that as of 2:30 p.m. today there are 11 active cases of COVID-19 in Nahant. 

According to the public health datareleased on Thursday, Dec. 3, the town’s designation is now “green” indicating low risk in the community. Nahant’s average daily incidence rate for the past two weeks, which the state uses to calculate risk determinations, has decreased to 26.5 per 100,000 residents. 

Resident should be mindful, however, of a possible uptick in cases resulting from Thanksgiving. Residents should continue to exercise extreme caution moving forward as numbers across the state are expected to continue to rise.

It is important to note that yesterday marked the highest number of cases of COVID-19 across the Commonwealth at 6,477 new coronavirus cases, the highest single-day total reported in the state since the start of the pandemic. This number includes an additional 680 cases from Dec. 1 that were not previously reported after a technical issue with the software used by that laboratory’s reporting vendor caused a delay.

Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid high risk activities, especially indoor social gatherings, and all Massachusetts residents are under orders from the Governor to wear masks at all times while in public.

Massachusetts’ Stop the Spread testing initiative remains ongoing, and Nahant residents are also encouraged to get tested regardless of symptoms in order to better know their COVID-19 status. The closest Stop the Spread testing sites are located in Lynn. For information about testing availability nearby through the Stop the Spread initiative, click here.

Free drive-through COVID-19 testing is available for Nahant residents at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 248 Nahant Road, in Nahant on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Testing is also available available Monday through Friday from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon at the Field House at Phillips Park at 585 Humphrey St. in Swampscott beginning tomorrow.

The Commonwealth’s travel restrictions remain in effect and require that all visitors from states other than Hawaii quarantine for 14 days upon arrival or produce a negative test result from a sample taken within 72 hours of arrival. For complete information on the travel order, click here.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

COVID-19 prevention tips from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health include:

• Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing, maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others, is critical. 
• Those who must go out are urged to:
  • Avoid gathering in groups
  • Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
  • Do not shake hands or hug
  • Wash your hands often
• Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
• Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing from people outside your household is not possible. This does not apply to those under the age of two and with underlying health conditions. 
• Face coverings should:
  • Cover the nose and mouth
  • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
  • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
  • Permit breathing without difficulty
  • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use. 

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.

Additional information regarding the Town of Nahant’s response to COVID-19 can be found online at NahantCOVID19.com.

Nahant residents with questions may additionally contact the Nahant Board of Health at 781-581-0088.

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