Everett, Revere ramp up efforts to control COVID-19 spread
The cities have seen increases in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus.
Officials in Everett and Revere are ramping up efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in their cities, which have seen increases in the number of people testing positive for the virus in recent weeks.
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Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria issued an executive order, effective Monday, that requires anyone over the age of 2 to wear a face covering or mask when in public spaces — both indoors and outdoors — including parks and businesses or face a fine of up to $300 per violation. The city’s police, health, and inspectional services departments have been ordered to “strictly enforce these guidelines and issue warnings and/or violations” to those not adhering to the mask mandate.
“I know these measures may seem extreme; however, this virus is extreme,” DeMaria said in a statement. “As we continue to grapple with the spread of the coronavirus, the response to mitigate the current pandemic and flatten the curve has to be more vigorous. We must all understand the seriousness of the virus and work with one another as we get through this period of time together.”
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The mayor wrote that a rising COVID-19 case count in the city makes the measure “necessary.” As of Monday morning, Everett had 1,915 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with an increase of eight new cases from Sunday.
Everett is one of the communities in Massachusetts seeing an increase in cases where the state has launched free testing to combat the spread of the virus. In response to the uptick in cases being seen in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker reduced the limit for outdoor gatherings and indefinitely postponed the second step of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.
“This uptick in cases and reports of people not adhering to guidance we have put forth here in Massachusetts means we cannot move forward at this time, or any time soon in the near future,” Baker said Friday.
According to the latest weekly data on municipal case counts from the state Department of Public Health, Everett has seen a recent increase in its percent positive test rate, with about 4.82 percent of individuals tested in a span of 14 days testing positive.
“Everyone should understand that we are one of a cluster of cities that have seen recent spikes in our numbers,” DeMaria wrote on Facebook of the mask mandate. “A majority of these numbers are young adults, those who are congregating in outdoor places playing basketball and the like. This policy is not forever, but it will be in effect until we can slow the spread. The last thing we want to do is take 10 steps back and end up where we were in March/April. For those who are upset, please know this is for the safety and well-being of all Everett residents.”
In a statement released Monday, DeMaria said the intent of the executive order is not to give out fines, but “have those gathering in large groups wear face coverings to stop the spread.”
Neighboring Revere is also seeing an increase in its percent positive test rate, with about 6.05 percent of individuals tested in a span of 14 days testing positive. As of Sunday, the city had 2,129 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with an increase of 10 new cases from the previous day.
Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo announced a “weekend of action” to address the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, with efforts including increased community engagement, sanitation protocols, and enforcement of public health measures. Free testing is being offered in Revere, with state officials urging community members — even if they don’t have symptoms — to get tested to help control the spread.
“The weekend of action comes as the City’s Emergency Response Team monitors a steady uptick in daily new cases of COVID-19 among Revere residents, and a positive test rate that is three times higher than the state average,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
The mayor’s office announced city employees would distribute masks at Revere Beach over the weekend, and the police department increased patrols of parks and playgrounds to discourage large gatherings, encourage mask wearing, and hand out face coverings to those who needed one.
As of Monday morning, Massachusetts had seen 121,040 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began and 8,735 residents had died.
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