Progress Reported in Fight Against COVID-19: Reminds Residents to Take Advantage Of Free Testing

Special to the Transcript

Town Manager Austin Faison and Public Health Director Meredith Hurley reported that the Town of Winthrop has made progress in reducing the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community.

After reaching a high of 11.4 cases per 100,000 people on Aug. 19, Winthrop saw that number drop to 8.34 cases per 100,000 last week. The decrease comes in the wake of increased testing in town through the Commonwealth’s Stop the Spread testing initiative.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has notified the town of Winthrop of nine additional residents affected by COVID-19 since Friday September 4. Winthrop’s total case breakdown is as follows 372 total cases: 24 deceased, 20  isolated and 328 recovered.

The Commonwealth continues to identify Winthrop as a “high risk” community because case rates remain above eight per 100,000 people. As a result, Winthrop officials continue to urge all members of the community to get tested at the E.B. Newton School testing site, which remains open six days a week.

Residents should also take the necessary safety precautions to reduce the spread of the virus, such as wearing a face mask or covering when in public and maintaining a social distance of 6 feet from those outside your household.

While its average daily incidence rate remains relatively high, Winthrop has seen a decrease in both relative daily case counts and percent positivity rate. Nearly 2,000 COVID-19 tests have been provided to Winthrop residents over the last two weeks.

In response to the recent designation by the state as a “high risk” community, Winthrop officials have partnered with state leaders to establish a “Stop the Spread” testing site six days a week at the E.B. Newton School, 45 Pauline St., as well as additional limited “pop-up” sites on a more limited basis. Testing is free for all at each testing site in Winthrop. The testing at the E.B. Newton School and the pop-up sites will continue through at least Sept. 12.

Testing is available at E.B. Newton School in Winthrop on the following days and times:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 2-7 p.m. (drive-through)

• Tuesday and Thursday from 2-7 p.m. (walk-up)

Testing providers are able to provide information in English and Spanish.

Additional pop-up testing site details will be provided as soon as they are available.

“Continued testing is the only way to know for sure just how prevalent COVID-19 is in our community, and we’ve seen a great response to the accessibility of testing in town already,” Hurley said. “We’re hopeful residents who already have been tested will continue to do so, and that those who have not will utilize this resource so that we can stop this virus in its tracks.” Winthrop residents are reminded to visit WinthropCOVID19.com, which serves as a dedicated town resource for information on the pandemic