NEWBURYPORT – Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday spoke with MSO News today and offered insight into the new daily routine of her office. And she re-emphasized the magnitude of the current emergency, pointing out how the citizens and businesses of Newburyport are responding in such a positive manner.
Podcast with Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday
City of Newburyport COVID-19 Response Update
Monday, March 30, 2020
There are currently nine confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Newburyport. All three individuals who have tested positive, as well as their families, are currently in quarantine.
The Newburyport Health Department is following DPH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and is monitoring each case during the 14-day quarantine period.
COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, was declared a Global Pandemic by the World Health Organization and has led to a state of emergency declaration by Governor Charlie Baker and the declaration of a national emergency by President Donald Trump.
Following the guidance of state and federal officials, the City of Newburyport has undertaken the following measures:
- City Hall is closed to the public until further notice. Residents and business owners needing to conduct business with the city should call 978-465-4413 or visit the city’s website.
- All Senior Center activities are cancelled, with the exception of the Meals on Wheels Program
- The Newburyport Public Library is closed.
- Public playgrounds are closed to the public.
- Newburyport Youth Services is closed and all programming is suspended until further notice.
- All Police and Fire Department lobbies and stations are closed to the public, with the exception of the vestibule at the front entrance of the police station, for emergencies only. Residents are encouraged to call the departments’ business lines for all non-emergency matters. The Police Department’s business line is 978-462-4411 and the Fire Department’s business line is 978-465-4427.
As always, please call 911 for any emergency. All emergency services are fully functional and prepared. Newburyport’s Emergency Management Agency is prepared to activate the City’s Emergency Operations Center if needed.
These closures promote social distancing and reduce the number of in-person interactions on a daily basis to decrease the chances of spreading in transmitting COVID-19.
The Newburyport Police and Fire Departments remain fully staffed and prepared to respond to any emergency.
Updates
Congressman Moulton Provides Info on CARES Act for Small Businesses
The CARES Act, passed last Friday, earmarks $350 billion dollars for our nation’s small businesses, all of which are struggling with immediate decisions about how to make rent, what to do about their employees, and which bills to pay.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31st at 5 PM, Congressman Moulton and Massachusetts SBA Director Bob Nelson will host a Small Business Forum on Facebook. This forum will detail the programs that were created to help small businesses and instruct them on how they can apply for assistance.
RSVP for the Tuesday Small Business Facebook Live event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/504669280409528/
Download Congressman Moulton’s comprehensive resource guide here: https://moulton.house.gov/imo/media/doc/smallbiz.pdf
Previous City Updates:
- Mayor Holaday’s Interview on Local Pulse Radio Program #297 March 27, 2020
- City Launches Newburyport Connected, a Community Resource for Support during COVID-19 Pandemic
- City Issues Temporary Emergency Order Prohibiting the use of Reusable Bags at Retail Establishments
- Mayor Holaday delivers second weekly update of City’s response to COVID-19 March 26, 2020
- Mayor Holaday and the Health Director Issue an Order ceasing the operation of all personal services opertations until futher notice. March 24, 2020
- Mayor Holaday Reminder that all Playgrounds and Athletic Fields remain closed to the public. March 23, 2020
- Our Neighbors Table’s list of Food Sources for those in need. March 22, 2020
- Changes to trash and recycling pickup: G. Mello will only collect trash and recycling, including cardboard, from barrels and bins. March 22, 2020
- Press Release on first 3 Posititive COVID-19 Cases in Newburyport March 21, 2020
- Mayor Holaday’s Interview on Local Pulse Radio Program March 20, 2020
- Support for Small Businesses During COVID-19
- City of Newburyport State of Emergency Declaration March 19, 2020
- Mayor’s Speech on COVID-19 Preparations and Response March 19, 2020
- Press Release COVID- 19 Preparations and Response March 19, 2020
- Grab and Go Meals Program Launched for Newuryport Families in Need March 18, 2020
- Residents Can Help Others Through Good Neighbors Sign-Up March 18, 2020
- Public Playgrounds and Athletic Fields Closed to Limit COVID-19 March 17, 2020
- Reductions in City Staffing and Inspectional Services Suspended March 17, 2020
- City Established First Protocols and Processes in Response to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus March 16, 2020
- Mayor Holaday, Health Director Frank Giacolone, Superintendant Sean Gallagher and Council on Aging Director Roseann Robillard provide information on COVID-19 on NCM Hub Channel 9 March 13, 2020
Previous State Updates
- Baker-Polito Administration Announces Travel Guidelines March 27 2020.
- Baker-Polito Administration Announces Extension of School and Non-Emergency Child Care Program Closures through May 4 and Steps to Ensure Housing Stability. March 25 2020.
- Govenor Baker Issues New Order for non-essential businesses to cease in-person operations and to prohibit gatherings of 10 or more people. March 24, 2020
- Governor Baker’s emergency order temporarily closing all child care programs and authorizing the temporary creation and operation of emergency child care programs March 18, 2020
- PUBLIC and PRIVATE elementary and secondary (K-12) schools to close until April 6, 2020 March 15, 2020
- Prohibitions of Gatherings of More Than 25 People and On-premises Consumption of Food and Drink March 15, 2020
Resources:
- Governor Baker’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Declaration
- Updates, Emergency Orders, and Guidance from Governor Baker
- Newburyport Health Department COVID-19 Website
- CDC COVID-19 Website
- MDPH Website
Latest Health Guidance
City leaders stress that if anyone displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, cough or shortness of breath they are advised to call their primary care physician as a first step.
For those calling 911 for police or fire services, you will find that dispatchers are asking a number of questions about the health of you and those in your household to better prepare first responders and keep them safe.
Public health officials are advising everyone 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.
Managing Stress
The City’s leadership team understands that the threat of illness as well as the widespread practice of social distancing and the closure of most public events and cancellation of school and other activities is a source of stress and anxiety for many residents.
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.
