SAUGUS — The town underwent a surge in both COVID-19 and flu cases last month, Public Health Nurse Teresa Riley-Singh told the Board of Health at its regular meeting Monday night.
During her monthly report to the board, Riley-Singh said Saugus had 196 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the month of December, and 10,348 total cases since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. At the board’s November meeting, Riley-Singh said Saugus saw 10,059 cases between March 2020 and October 31, 2022.
Riley-Singh urged residents to continue to take COVID seriously, adding that officials have seen an increase in cases in the Saugus area and in wastewater, a key metric that can anticipate COVID surges.
“I know people are sick of talking about [COVID], hearing about it. But please, if you’re not vaccinated or due for a booster, they’re available at your local CVS, Walgreens, or doctor’s offices free of charge,” she said.
Saugus also saw historically high numbers of flu cases last month, she said, telling the board — which was without Chair William Heffernan Monday night — that officials confirmed 120 cases of influenza in the month of December.
The last time Saugus saw more than 15 influenza cases in a single month was December 2012, she said.
She urged residents to make sure they get their flu vaccines.
