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COVID-19 death toll rises in Lynn, Peabody
By Gayla Cawley | May 19, 2020
The COVID-19 death toll continues to climb in Lynn and Peabody, which presents a stark contrast to the declining number of new cases that have been reported in those same communities.
The majority of deaths in Lynn and Peabody have been elderly residents, which is on par with what other nearby communities have seen.
Even with the declining number of new cases, Lynn has reached a grim milestone, with more than 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Monday.
Elsewhere, Marblehead and Saugus each reported additional deaths on Monday.
Lynn reported an additional two deaths since Friday, which brings the city’s death toll to 82.
Peabody’s death toll is even higher, at 123. Six residents have died since last Friday and there’s been 19 deaths since last Wednesday, when figures were last reported, according to Peabody Health Director Sharon Cameron.
Although Lynn and Peabody are continuing to report additional deaths on a near-daily basis, both cities have been reporting low day-to-day increases in cases.
Lynn reported 20 new cases on Monday, which, when factoring in those who have recovered and died, brings the city’s caseload to 3,035.
As of last Wednesday, Lynn has the fourth highest number of cases in the state and the third highest infection rate, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Following Gov. Charlie Baker’s announcement outlining the first phase of his four-phased plan for reopening the economy, Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee opted Monday to extend the city’s overnight curfew, and orders for social behavior and essential services, to June 1.
Peabody has seen just 13 new cases since last Friday. As of Monday, 911 residents have been infected and 280 people have recovered, according to Cameron.
Three more Marblehead residents have died since last Monday, May 11, which brings the town’s death toll to 19, and there’s been an additional death in Saugus since last Friday.
Twenty-seven Saugus residents have died from the virus and 463 residents have been infected. Marblehead has 209 cases — the town has reported an additional 46 cases since last Monday, when figures were last reported.
Marblehead, Saugus and Peabody officials have said the majority of their deaths have been connected to nursing homes in their respective communities.
Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt has said more than 80 percent of the city’s virus deaths have been residents of long-term care facilities, and as of last Friday, Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation Center in Saugus reported 12 deaths related to COVID-19.
According to a statement from the town of Marblehead, 68.4 percent of the town’s 19 deaths and 58.8 percent of its 209 cases have been either residents or staff members at long-term care facilities.
“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families that are grieving these losses,” reads a town of Marblehead statement.
Lynnfield and Nahant each reported one additional case on Monday, bringing their respective caseloads at 91 and 37. Neither community saw additional deaths — 11 residents have died in Lynnfield and there have been six deaths in Nahant.
Three more Swampscott residents have been infected since last Wednesday. As of Monday, the town has 118 cases and seven deaths.
At press time, Revere had not released updated numbers. As of Friday, the city has 1,437 cases and 58 deaths.