Fire

Update #9 (6 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Latest Update on Coronavirus Situation

jgprstaff Emergency Management, Fire, Police

44 total cases confirmed since March 15; One deceased, Four recovered, 39 in isolation

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley would like to update Winthrop residents on the latest information involving the COVID-19 pandemic.

Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley have received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) of three additional Winthrop residents with positive cases of COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus. They are pleased to report that three residents have recovered.

This week the Baker-Polito Administration announced the creation of the COVID-19 Community Tracing Collaborative (CTC) to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. This initiative is a collaboration between the administration and Partners In Health, and is the first of its kind in the nation. Partners In Health is seeking Contact Tracers to support Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Local Boards of Health to perform COVID-19 contact tracing. Interested candidates can apply online at https://jobs.crelate.com/portal/talentboost/job/3kyqki4zeqoyugdzsha5iynhce.

Social distancing during COVID-19 leaves survivors of sexual and domestic violence particularly vulnerable. If you or someone you know in Massachusetts is at risk—you are not alone—help is still available. Please call 877-785-2020 or visit janedoe.org at https://janedoe.org/find_help/

Public Health Updates

The Town of Winthrop Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is streamlining the COVID-19 response effort to ensure the continued delivery of services to residents. The EOC will remain operational until further notice.  

The EOC can be reached at 617-539-5848, Monday through Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by emailing COVID19info@town.winthrop.ma.us.  

If any resident is currently under self-quarantine for symptoms or travel history, please contact the EOC at 617-539-5848 or COVID19info@town.winthrop.ma.us. All information will be confidential. 

The COVID-19 Tip Hotline is available on the Winthrop Public Safety website at https://winthroppublicsafety.com/covid-19-tip-hotline/ for those self-reporting or for a concerned member of the community.

Federal and State Updates

  • Residents can stay updated and access financial tools and resources through the state’s financial resources website at https://www.mass.gov/ma-financial-resources-for-covid-19. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has created unprecedented disruptions in daily life and financial setbacks for people throughout Massachusetts. The website includes resources for protecting your identity and learning about employment rights and unemployment benefits. 
  • The DCR has temporarily closed state coastal beach parking areas. For more information visit https://www.mass.gov/doc/dcr-coastal-beach-reservation-list 
  • Massachusetts has launched a new resource that residents can use to assess symptoms and find the right care, which can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-your-symptoms-for-covid-19-online.
  • The federal income tax filing due date has been automatically extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.
  • The Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting daily town hall meetings where residents can follow the step by step process of achieving a successful unemployment claim and submit questions. For more information visit https://www.mass.gov/forms/massachusetts-department-of-unemployment-assistance-dua-virtual-town-halls
  • The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. Beginning October 1, 2021 every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

Local Winthrop Updates

  • Yard waste facility is open 
  • All public schools in Massachusetts are closed until at least May 4th
  • All non-essential businesses are closed until May 4th 
  • All parks, playgrounds and beaches are closed. 
  • No gatherings of any kind of more than 10 people at one time, in one place are allowed.
  • All bars and restaurants will only be able to serve takeout customers.
  • New Winthrop Community Food Bank procedures:  
    • Beginning Monday, April 6, the Food Bank will be distributing food by delivery only. There will be NO in-person pick-up at the Cummings Elementary School. If you are in need of food, please email: WinthropFoodBank@town.winthrop.ma.us. Please provide your name, address, phone number and the number of people in your household.  If your need is urgent, please call the Emergency Operations Center at 617-539-5848.
    • The Food Bank will continue accepting donations Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the FRONT loop of the Cummings School across from the Fire Station. The Food Bank is in need of non-perishable items such as cereals, canned goods, pasta, bread, peanut butter and jelly, toiletries and paper products. Items without an expiration date cannot be accepted.

Municipal Services

Latest Health Guidance

As always, if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, they should not go to work or school and are advised to contact their primary care physician.

For residents that may be self-quarantined and require outside assistance or meal delivery, please email the EOC at COVID19info@town.winthrop.ma.us.

The Town is also advising residents to practice social distancing by keeping six feet between people to prevent the spread of infection, which includes handshaking and hugging. Residents are also encouraged to avoid group activities and events.

Other Guidelines Include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
  • Keep your hands away from your face.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
  • Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.

Stay Informed

The Town encourages everyone to stay informed regarding COVID-19. The following resources are recommended for the most updated information:

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Town of Winthrop Mourns Commonwealth’s First COVID-19 Death

John Guilfoil Emergency Management, Fire, Police

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison, Public Health Director Meredith Hurley Police Chief Terence Delehanty and Fire Chief Paul Flanagan issue the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened to announce that a Winthrop resident has died as a result of his contracting COVID-19, the illness associated with the novel coronavirus.

“You will hear from the media and from the state and federal government that the victim was an 87-year-old man with underlying health conditions. The latter is as irrelevant to us as community leaders as it is to the family of our departed resident. The fact is that this terrible virus has taken a life in our community, and that loss of life gives each of us pause and fills us with sorrow.

“We are aware that our resident is the first patient to die from COVID-19 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have one other resident who was diagnosed last week and continues to recover at home.

“We have been in contact with the family, and we relay from the family that they are deeply saddened and have requested privacy, and we ask that everyone respect their wishes during this difficult time.”

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Winthrop Police and Fire Departments Responding to Storm-Related Incidents

John Guilfoil Fire, Police

WINTHROP — Police Chief Terence Delehanty and Fire Chief Paul E. Flanagan report that emergency crews in Winthrop are actively engaged in clean-up and restoration efforts, despite the challenges of the ongoing gusty winds and rain from a coastal storm that arrived last evening.

More than 40 trees have fallen in Winthrop and more trees and branches continue to come down throughout the day. Some trees and limbs have come down on power lines. Cleanup efforts are being slowed by the continued high winds in town. Winthrop has seen wind gusts approaching 80 mph.

Currently, 17% of Winthrop residents and businesses are without power. Those without power are National Grid customers. The Town of Winthrop is in constant communication with the utility, but no estimated restoration timetable has been provided.

As of 10 a.m., more than 200,000 Massachusetts residents are without power. A Wind Advisory remains in effect for the entire state until 5 p.m.

From the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:

A strong, damaging wind event impacted the Commonwealth overnight, with the greatest impacts in southeastern Massachusetts, and the Cape and Islands. The high winds associated with this event resulted in sporadic road closures and widespread electric customer outages (leaving several hundred thousand residents without power) due to downed tree limbs and wires. The most significant power outages are being experienced by National Grid and Eversource customers. The threat of high sustained winds will continue throughout the day which is expected to result in additional power outages.

Currently, local communities and state agencies are coordinating response efforts to manage the impacts from this event, and any additional impacts that may result from today’s high winds.

Important Safety Information from National Grid:

Always use extreme caution near wires and power lines—for your own safety, assume they are live and deadly.

If you see a downed line, keep everyone away and dial 911. You can also report it to National Grid at 800-465-1212. Repairing downed power lines can be dangerous work, so please drive carefully when you spot our repair crews on the road.

If you see a downed power line:

  • NEVER touch downed power lines or anything coming in contact with fallen lines
  • NEVER walk beneath overhead equipment, lines, or wires near a downed line
  • NEVER touch someone who is being electrically shocked
  • NEVER handle or cut utility poles

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