The City of Gloucester continues to advance measures to limit person to person contact to help slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Everyone should continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations from the City, the CDC and the DPH.
The following are timely updates, announcements, and reminders from the City.
Status of Cases
As of today, February 10 the status of COVID-19 cases in the City of Gloucester were as follows:
- 1,565 overall cases (1,481 confirmed and 84 probable);
- 1,458 recovered;
- 35 COVID-19 related deaths; and
- 60 active cases.
For a list of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts, which is updated every evening, click here.
COVID-19 Updates & Information
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS COVID-19 VACCINE PLAN: The Commonwealth will follow a phased approach that prioritizes healthcare and other frontline workers and those at greatest risk. At this time everyone in Phase 1 and Individuals 75+ (Phase 2, Group 1) are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, visit www.mass.gov/COVIDvaccine..
VACCINATION SITES: The closest mass vaccination site to Gloucester is located in Danvers at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel. To book an appointment or find another vaccination location: visit www.mass.gov/CovidVaccineMap.
VACCINE SCHEDULING RESOURCE LINE: A call center is now available to help residents 75 and older more easily schedule an appointment if they do not have internet or are unable to use the website at www.mass.gov/COVIDVaccine. The line will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. The line can be accessed by dialing 2–1–1 and selecting the prompt for “Help Scheduling a Vaccine Appointment.” Once connected with a representative, the caller will be asked to confirm he/she is 75 or older and either has no internet access or otherwise cannot use the website to book an appointment. Call-takers will then use the state’s COVID-19 vaccine site map to find nearby locations and determine whether appointments are available. If no appointments are available within a distance the caller can travel, then callers will be offered the chance to be placed on a call-back list for the mass vaccination sites. Residents will receive a call-back as appointments become available at these sites.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ACCOMPANY SOMEONE 75+ TO GET A VACCINE AT A MASS VACCINATION SITE MAY ALSO SCHEDULE AND RECEIVE THEIR OWN VACCINATION ON THE SAME DAY: Effective Thursday, February 11th, at mass vaccination sites, an individual who is accompanying a person age 75 or older to get the vaccine may schedule their own appointment to be vaccinated on the same day. A caregiver must schedule their own appointment online for the same day and location as the 75 or older resident. Only one caregiver may accompany a 75 or older resident. Individuals can go to mass.gov/covidvaccine and schedule two separate appointments at either the same time or adjacent. For the companion appointment, select the option ‘I am accompanying someone who is age 75+ to their vaccination appointment and my appointment is the same day.’ A caregiver may receive their first dose of the vaccine if the 75+ resident is receiving their second dose.
COVID-19 RISK DESIGNATION BY COMMUNITY: Based on the average daily cases per 100,000 residents, each city or town has been designated as a higher risk, moderate risk, or lower risk community. This information is updated and included in the Department of Public Health’s weekly public health dashboard, which are now posted on Thursdays. As of Thursday, February 4 Gloucester was in the yellow and considered a medium-risk community.
TRUST THE FACTS, GET THE VAX: Last week, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a new multilingual public awareness campaign, “Trust the Facts. Get the Vax.” The campaign promotes the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine and urges residents to get vaccinated when it is their turn, as vaccines continue to be distributed across the Commonwealth.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS INCREASED TO 40%: The following businesses were recently permitted to increase to a 40% capacity limit: Arcades and Recreational Businesses; Gyms/Health Clubs; Libraries; Museums; Retail; Offices; Places of Worship and Movie Theaters (no more than 50 people per theater). Additionally, restaurants and close contact personal services will now be allowed to operate at a 40% capacity limit – workers and staff will not count towards the occupancy count for restaurants and close contact personal services.
GET TESTED MA!: Testing for COVID-19 is widely available in Massachusetts. For more information or to find a test site please visit https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing.
LIMIT ON GATHERINGS: Indoor event venues are limited to a maximum of 10 people at a time. Indoor private gatherings are limited to 10 people and outdoor private gatherings are limited to 25 people.
FACE COVERING ORDER: An updated order related to face-coverings remains in effect and requires all persons to wear face-coverings in all public places, even where they are able to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.
MA TRAVEL ORDER IN EFFECT: All visitors and returning residents are required to fill out a “Massachusetts Traveler Form” unless they are coming from a state that has been designated a lower risk COVID-19 state or fall into an exemption category. The travel order also provides that visitors and returning residents arriving in Massachusetts from any place other than a COVID-19 lower-risk state (currently only Hawaii) must quarantine for 14-days unless they can produce a negative COVID-19 test result administered on a sample taken not more than 72-hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts. For more details please visit mass.gov/matraveler.
City Updates & Information
GLOUCESTER RESIDENTS 75+ COVID-19 VACCINE CLINIC: While doses are limited at this time, the city will continue to offer appointments to residents 75-years-old and older as vaccine doses are provided by the state. The Rose Baker Senior Center has received a high volume of calls and emails. If you have already sent an email to esinagra@gloucester-ma.gov or left a message or voicemail at 978-281-9765 ext. 12, we are returning those emails/calls as quickly as possible.
BIOBOT WASTEWATER TESTING: Biobot Analytics is currently being used to test wastewater as another tool to track COVID-19 locally. The most recent test date February 3, 2021 detected elevated virus levels. The current virus levels are proportionate to our active case numbers. There is still evidence of virus in our community and we must all remain vigilant and continue taking the recommendations from local, state, and federal health experts to mitigate the spread of the virus.
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CITY OFFICES & TRASH COLLECTION: City Offices will be closed on Monday, February 15 in observation of Presidents Day. City Offices will reopen at normal business hours on Tuesday, February 16. Trash will not be collected on Monday but will resume on Tuesday on a holiday, one-day delay schedule.
CITY COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATES AND INFORMATION: The City of Gloucester is committed to keeping the public fully apprised of the vaccination process, and will broadcast clearly and in a timely manner any and all updates regarding vaccination distribution in the area over the coming weeks and months. This information will be shared over the City’s website here, social media and by robocall.
COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION QUESTIONS: Members of the public are asked to not contact the City at this time with questions regarding vaccination distribution, access and timelines. Those with vaccine distribution timeline questions can contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health by emailing COVID-19-Vaccine-Plan-MA@mass.gov.
TONIGHT THERE WILL BE AN OPERATION CHANGE WEST GLOUCESTER TO BABSON WATER TREATMENT PLANT: Tonight around 11 PM, water treatment plant operations will be transferred from West Gloucester to Babson as a part of routine operations. This will result in a change in the direction of flow in some water mains and may cause temporary discoloration of the water as iron particles in the pipe are stirred up. If you should experience “rusty” water, running a cold water tap for a few minutes should clear your line. We also recommend that you avoid the use of chlorine bleach during this time period to prevent staining of laundry. If you experience persistent water quality problems, please contact the Office of Water Compliance at 978-281-9792 or DPW at 978-281-9785, so that selective flushing can be targeted to problem areas.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT A FUTURE COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC: Volunteers with and without medical experience are needed to support different aspects of their work, and will supplement existing emergency and public health resources. To sign up to volunteer, visit their website maresponds.org. Additional instructions on how to register for Cape Ann efforts can be found here.
DPW BUSINESS OFFICE OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Please call 978-325-5600 during normal business hours for assistance. If you get voice mail, please leave your name, number and a brief message and someone will return your call.
CITY CLERK’S OFFICE HAS LIMITED HOURS FOR WALK-IN SERVICES: The City Clerk’s Office, now has limited walk-in hours, only be available on Thursdays from 2-6 p.m, and will be conducting the majority of services by appointment only. For a full list of services and options available, please click here or contact the office at 978-281-9720 during normal business hours.
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETINGS: The City of Gloucester is utilizing the Zoom platform for remote participation of public meetings. Virtual Public Meeting Forums are open to the public. For a list of all upcoming scheduled meetings, including meeting agendas, click here.
STAY INFORMED, SIGN UP FOR CITY EMERGENCY ALERTS/WEBSITE NOTIFICATIONS: City officials have and will continue to use the Smart911 system to share information and updates regarding COVID-19 as the situation surrounding the virus continues to evolve. To sign up for Smart 911 go to http://www.gloucester-ma.gov/384/Emergency-Alerting. To review current subscription selections and/or sign up for City of Gloucester website
SNOW EMERGENCY GUIDELINES AND PARKING INFORMATION: http://gloucester-ma.gov/739/Snow-Emergency-Information.
SNOW REMOVAL REMINDERS: All residents and businesses are reminded that they are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their property. Please make every effort to shovel out hydrants at, or, near your homes, and please check on your elderly and disabled. Your cooperation during any snow event is necessary for efficient and safe snow removal efforts.
Communications Resources
In case you missed it please view these important articles, informative videos and/or flyers:
- Trust the Facts. Get the Vax
- How to safely cover your face outside your home
- Face mask requirements
- While you wait for COVID-19 test results
- COVID-19 vaccine phased approach timeline
- City of Gloucester Reminds Residents of Winter Weather Ordinances & Snow Expectations
- City of Gloucester Urges Residents to Heed Massachusetts Travel Restrictions, Avoid Seasonal Trips
- City of Gloucester Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance to Residents 75-Years-Old and Older
Health Guidance and Recommendations
According to the CDC, symptoms of the virus appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing or at least two of these symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell.
If you display symptoms or suspect that you may have come into contact with a person who may be infected, please contact your primary care provider immediately.
Stop the Spread of COVID-19
Please wear a mask or face covering when out in public, maintain a safe physical distance of 6 feet from others, wash and sanitize your hands and frequently touched surfaces often, limit gatherings, get tested and stay home if you’re sick.
Important Local, State & Federal Information and Updates
Please visit the City of Gloucester’s COVID-19 information page here.
