Town’s Wastewater Predicted Recent COVID Spike

The Winthrop Town Council met on Nov. 23, where it learned about a recent spike in coronavirus cases.

COVID-19

Winthrop’s positive test cases had been declining in October, but more than doubled in the week leading up to the meeting. DPH Director Meredith Hurley said that analyses of the town’s wastewater foretold the increase. The percent positive rate sits at 2.3, but Hurley expects it to climb above 3 percent.

In Winthrop, 92 percent of adults aged 30 to 49 have received their first vaccine dose, and 84 percent fully are vaccinated. Seventy-six percent of adults aged 50 to 64 have received a first dose, and 70 percent are fully vaccinated. Eighty-seven percent of those in the 75 and older age bracket are partially vaccinated and 77 percent are fully vaccinated.

Seventy-three percent of children aged 12 to 15 and 79 percent of individuals aged 16 to 19 have received their first dose of the vaccination. There is currently no data on the vaccination rates of children ages 5 to 11.

Booster shots are now available for any fully vaccinated adult. The Town may be able to host local booster clinics depending on staff availability.

“There’s a plethora of supply out there for folks to get vaccinated,” said Dir. Hurley.

The Town will host a second pediatric vaccination clinic on Dec. 4 for children ages five to 11 at the Senior Center.

Councilor Rob DeMarco expressed hesitation to vaccinate his children, ages 8 and 11, because the long-term effects are as yet unknown. He suggested that other parents may have the same concerns. Dir. Hurley encouraged Councilor DeMarco and any concerned parents to “speak to a trusted healthcare professional.”

“Pediatricians should be making the time to have that conversation,” she said.

As of the date of the meeting, there had been no in-school spread of COVID.

Fire Department

The Council promoted firefighter Eric Cusack to lieutenant, and Lt. David Higginbotham to fire captain. It swore in Cpt. Stephen Calandra as a fire prevention officer, and Devon Racow as a probationary firefighter. The men posed for photographs with their families and council members.

“I want to thank you all for your service,” Council Pres. Phil Boncore told the men. “It’s an outstanding job that you do.”

General Updates

Early voting in the Dec. 14 senate special election is currently underway.

The council voted to allow National Grid to move existing poles and wires to enable construction to be completed in the marina.