LYNN — The Lynn school district — and at least 28 others on the North Shore, including Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Saugus, and Swampscott — have canceled all classes until at least March 27.
At a Friday press conference, Lynn Mayor Thomas McGee said the city made the decision in the face of an “unparalleled” situation, the pandemic of COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus that has infected more than 100,000 people across the globe, and more than 100 in Massachusetts. There is no known cure or vaccine for the coronavirus, which presents symptoms similar to the flu.
“I want you to know that we are taking all necessary steps to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19,” McGee said.
While Lynn does not have a confirmed case of coronavirus, a number of residents have been tested. One resident has been tested at the Lynn Community Health Center, according to Chief Medical Officer Geoff Pechinsky, and results are pending. Lynn has nine people under quarantine at home, according to the city’s Public Health Department, and they are having their temperatures taken twice a day. These people have traveled from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-designated high-risk country, or have possibly come in contact with someone who has contracted the virus. They have not become symptomatic as of Friday.
Although schools are closed for classes, grab-and-go lunches will be available for school students between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, Lynn English, Classical, and Vocational Technical high schools.
Students and staff should retrieve their belongings from the schools between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. this Monday, March 16.
Lynn Auditorium shows are postponed through April 29, and will be scheduled at a later date, McGee said.
Residents should conduct business with City Hall over the phone or online as much as possible, McGee said. All in-person city government meetings will be held virtually, postponed, or canceled, McGee said. People are also asked to refrain from holding any “unnecessary large gatherings.”
People should wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds, cover their mouths or noses while coughing or sneezing, and stay home if they are sick, McGee said. Anyone who has traveled from China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and other European countries should quarantine themselves at home for at least 14 days from the time of return, McGee said.
The elderly and those with preexisting conditions like diabetes and heart disease should take extra precautions, such as staying at least 6 feet away from other people in a practice known as “social distancing.”
If someone feels sick, they should call a doctor, rather than showing up at a hospital or doctor’s office, said Lynn Community Health Center Chief Medical Officer Geoff Pechinsky.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has to approve all tests for the coronavirus, McGee said, making it difficult for health officials to test people who have potentially been exposed to the virus.
“We are all pretty frustrated by that,” McGee said.
According to Lynn Emergency Management Director Lt. Paul Ricchi, the situation is “evolving,” but city departments are staying in contact with each other, as well as with state authorities.
Official information on the city’s response to COVID-19 is available at http://www.ci.lynn.ma.us/.
