covid 19

Winthrop Man Cited After Hosting Party in Violation of Pandemic Protocols

jgprstaff Police
Winthrop Man Cited After Hosting Party in Violation of Pandemic Protocols

WINTHROP — Chief Terence Delehanty reports that a resident was cited last weekend after hosting a party in violation of state gathering restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Saturday, Sept. 12, at approximately 10 p.m., Winthrop Police responded to Bellevue Avenue after receiving multiple reports about a loud party. Upon arrival, officers observed a gathering of approximately 30 people who were allegedly disregarding state mandated social distancing and face covering protocols.

A 51-YEAR-OLD WINTHROP MAN was issued a $300 fine for Failure to Comply With Mandatory Face Coverings under Gov. Charlie Baker’s standing order.

“Our community has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and willful disregard of the precautions we’re all responsible for maintaining has consequences,” Chief Delehanty said. “Winthrop residents have been doing their part to curb the spread in of the virus in town, and everyone has to remain committed to making these shared sacrifices for the greater good.”

Under state guidelines, indoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet of indoor floor space and should never exceed more than 25 people in a single enclosed, indoor space.

Additionally, outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of the maximum permitted occupancy of the space, and all gatherings — indoor and outdoor — must be conducted in a way that allows each participant to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from all other attendees who live outside their household.

Everyone attending a gathering with more than 10 people is required to wear a mask or face covering.

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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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Update #5 (9:15 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Latest Update on Coronavirus Situation

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Update #5 (9:15 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Latest Update on Coronavirus Situation

Two Confirmed and Zero Presumptive COVID-19 Cases Identified in Winthrop

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.

The Winthrop Public Health Department is continuing to conduct “contact tracing” with each case of Coronavirus in town. The Public Health Department identifies the close contacts of each case and alerts those individuals. The community would be informed if either case were in a public space while infectious.

The Public Health Department remains vigilant in conducting these investigations rapidly and are being transparent in the process.

The Town of Winthrop activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 8 a.m. Monday, March 16, streamlining the COVID-19 response effort and ensuring the continued delivery of services to residents. The EOC will remain operational until further notice.

The Town’s Emergency Operations Center can be reached at 617-539-5848, Monday through Friday, 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.

Municipal buildings will remain closed to the public at this time. Residents can pay taxes, parking tickets and apply for resident parking stickers online or drop payments and applications in drop box located at the Town Hall front door.

Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes are due March 25. The Town is not currently extending this deadline. Contact the Treasurer/Collector’s Office with any questions. The Treasurer/Collector’s Office will be available by calling 617-846-1750, Monday through Thursday, from 9 to 11 a.m., until further notice.

The town is coordinating volunteer efforts to assist with those in self quarantine and its vulnerable population. Please contact Matt Rodes at mrodes@town.winthrop.ma.us to learn more about volunteer opportunities in Winthrop.

Visit our Town website at www.town.winthrop.ma.us/where to learn more.Residents can report DPW safety issues online here.

Local Winthrop Updates

  • No gatherings of any kind of more than 10 people at one time, in one place.
  • All public schools in Massachusetts are closed until at least April 7.
  • All bars and restaurants will only be able to serve takeout customers.
  • The Winthrop Public Safety website now has a COVID-19 Tip Hotline for those self-reporting or for a concerned member of the community. The hotpine can also be accessed from the main page on the Winthrop Public Safety website.
  • The Town of Winthrop will host a Winthrop Community Food Bank this Friday, March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arthur T. Cummings Elementary School, at 40 Hermon St. Drop offs will take place on School Street (the back road that leads to the parking lot). The Food Bank is accepting donations and is looking specifically for canned goods, pasta, macaroni and cheese, non-perishables, toiletries, and sealed baby formula. Please contact Matt Rodes at mrodes@town.winthrop.ma.us to learn more about volunteer opportunities.
  • There will be a Community Forum on Friday, March 20 at noon, and it will be streamed live through WCAT. Public Officials will be reporting on the COVID-19 response taken thus far. The time of the forum may be delayed as public officials address concerns accordingly.

Winthrop Public School Updates

Winthrop Public Schools will be distributing Grab-and-Go Meals through Friday, March 27. These meals will be prepared by food service staff and are available for any WPS student in need.

Pick up location will be at the rear parking lot next to the baseball field and at the loading dock area of Winthrop High School. Pick up hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost for any student. Food service staff will be available and on-site during distribution time to support the nutritional needs of our families.

If you are not able to come to the location to access the Grab-and-Go Meals, please email the Superintendent. An alternative solution will be provided to ensure that your child has access to what they need. All information will be kept confidential. Email the Superintendent at lhoward@winthrop.k12.ma.us.

Online educational opportunities will be posted for students on the Winthrop Public Schools website, as well as each school home page on Wednesday, March 18. Families are encouraged to review the information and begin the process of having your student remain connected to learning experiences during this time of school closure.

The learning opportunities that will be provided by the WPS are not intended to be a replication of a school day and work completed is not going to be graded by teachers nor is it considered mandatory. We would like to stress that every student will benefit from staying engaged daily and staying connected to the routine of learning daily, and resources provided will have multiple levels of engagement access so that every child has access to learning opportunities.

Each Principal will reach out to families directly on Wednesday, to provide you with detail related to your student’s access to learning opportunities as well as access to teachers, school nurses and other essential staff.

Managing Stress

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for those experiencing fear and anxiety relating to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Coping with stress will make residents and those they care about, as well as the community as a whole, stronger and healthier.

Those who may respond to the crisis more strongly than others include:

  • Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for COVID-19
  • Children and teens
  • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, such as doctors and other healthcare providers, or first responders
  • People who have mental health conditions, including problems with substance use

Additionally, people with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) website.

For more information, parents, responders, people who have been released from quarantine and the general public can visit the CDC’s “Managing Anxiety and Stress” website here.

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.

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Update #4 (7:30 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Latest Update on Coronavirus Situation

jgprstaff Police
Update #4 (7:30 p.m.) Town of Winthrop Provides Latest Update on Coronavirus Situation

WINTHROP — Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley would like to assure Winthrop residents that the town is conducting “contact tracing” with each potential case of COVID-19.

The Public Health Department identifies the close contacts of each case and alerts those individuals. The community would be informed if either case were in a public space while infectious, which was not the case in these instances.  

“We remain vigilant in conducting these investigations rapidly and are being transparent in the process,” Director Hurley said.

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

The Town of Winthrop activated its EOC at 8 a.m. Monday, March 16, streamlining the COVID-19 response effort and ensuring the continued delivery of services to residents. The EOC will remain operational until further notice. 

The Town’s Emergency Operations Center can be reached at 617-539-5848 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., or by emailing COVID19info@town.winthrop.ma.us.

Municipal buildings remain closed to the public at this time. Residents can pay taxes, parking tickets, and apply for resident parking stickers online or drop payments and applications in drop box located at the Town Hall front door.

Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes are due March 25. The Town is not currently extending this deadline. For questions on this, or any other inquiries relating to the Treasurer/Collector’s Office, residents should call 617-846-1750, Monday through Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., until further notice.

Residents can report DPW safety issues online here. 

Visit the Town website at www.town.winthrop.ma.us/where to learn more.

Local Updates:

  • It is recommended that there are no gatherings of any kind of more than 10 people at one time, in one place.
  • All public schools in Massachusetts are closed until at least April 7.
  • All bars and restaurants will only be able to serve takeout customers.

The Superintendent of Winthrop Public Schools, in cooperation with its Food Services staff, will be preparing Grab-and-Go Meals to be picked up starting Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 27. These meals will be prepared by the district’s food service staff and available for any WPS student in need.

The pick up location will be at the rear parking lot next to the baseball field and at the loading dock area of Winthrop High School. Pick up hours will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There is no cost for any student. Food service staff will be available and on-site during distribution time to support the nutritional needs of families.

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

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.

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.

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