Things are headed in the right direction for the communities of Saugus and Salem where the coronavirus is concerned.
Both communities moved from the “red” to “yellow” zones in the state’s most recent release of its metrics that determine the danger of catching COVID-19.
In the case of Saugus, this is especially good news. The town earlier this week announced that it is stepping up its effort to control the virus in the town by joining the “Stop the Spread” effort already being used in Lynn. It offers free testing to anyone, symptomatic or not, with no appointment needed.
Both communities went down to 6.5 cases per 100,000 in the last 14 days. Anything over eight per 100,000 puts a community in the red zone — the highest-risk category. Yellow is the second-highest.
“It feels better, obviously,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “But people still have to do their diligence (with social protocols).”
Crabtree said that while the metric changed this week, the nature of the town’s business structure might make it go the other way just as easily.
“You have kind of a transient community,” he said. “There are a lot of restaurants, businesses, Route 1, people from other areas who come in here. It can go up one week, down the next.”
Selectwoman Debra Panetta echoed Crabtree.
It’s great news that we moved from red to yellow,” she said, “but we still need to remain vigilant with taking the necessary precautions to keep Saugus residents safe.”
Three other local communities stayed in the “red” zone, according to the latest state report that was released Wednesday — Lynn, Revere and Winthrop.
The designation of “red” in the town communities caused a ripple effect that extended to school sports. At the time the decisions were made, five of the 12 communities represented by the Northeastern Conference had “red” designations. The league voted to put off all fall sports until a “floating” season that goes from February to April.
Saugus is partnering with the Commonwealth, AFC Urgent Care, Fallon Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and the Square One Mall as a collaborative effort to help make testing for COVID-19 more available.
The two sites are AFC Urgent Care, 371 Broadway, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The other is Fallon EMS at the Square One Mall (far side parking lot on Essex Street), 1201 Broadway with entry off of Essex Street. Free testing is offered at a mobile drive-up for Saugus residents in their cars, Monday through Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Saugus’ total case count is 638, with 26 coming in the most recent testing period. The average rate per 100,000 (the testing metric) is down from 9.05 to 6.53. Also, the town’s percent positivity is 2.63 percent, down from 3.9 at its peak.
