Where Things Stand: Haverhill, Area Communities Report COVID-19 Infections—247 in County

Social distancing at work at the State House. Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, right, was sworn in by Gov. Charlie Baker at the foot of the Grand Staircase on Wednesday, a quiet ceremony attended by a few lawmakers and staff while the State House is mostly closed due to the COVID-19 emergency. (Photograph by Sam Doran/SHNS.)

Eighteen Haverhill residents are reported as having the coronavirus as of Thursday afternoon when daily numbers were released.

According to the city, half of the COVID-19 cases are among people between 2 and 40 years old and 45 percent are between ages 50 and 70. In a social media post, Mayor James J. Fiorentini said only one person is 70 years old and no one in Haverhill above age 70 has been infected so far.

“This tells me that seniors are doing an excellent job of isolating themselves and social distancing,” the mayor said, but added he is concerned about the number of young people who have the virus.

Haverhill’s numbers contribute to Essex County’s total of 247 and the Commonwealth’s 2,417 cases. The state Department of Public Health said Thursday there were 10 more deaths for a total of 25 to date. Of those, two were reported from Essex County—both men with one in his 50s and the other in his 80s—and had preexisting medical conditions.

Methuen is reporting 17 confirmed cases, while North Andover lists eight. Georgetown said its count went up by one to a total of three in two different households. All are in isolation and are recovering at home. Groveland and West Newbury have reported one resident in each town has been diagnosed with the virus.

According to a statement from Massachusetts health officials, “COVID-19 activity is increasing in Massachusetts. At this time, if people are only mildly symptomatic, they should speak to their healthcare provider about whether they need to be assessed in person. If not, they should stay at home while they are sick. Asymptomatic family members should practice social distancing and immediately self-isolate if they develop symptoms.”

Nationally, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been more than 68,440 cases of COVID-19 and more than 994 deaths.

Effective today, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is enforcing a strict no walk-in policy at its eight service centers open to the general public, including Lawrence.

The only transactions that will be processed are those that require an in-person transaction, including Commercial Driving Licenses or Permits, some new registrations, out of state conversions and new Mass IDs. Customers who need to complete these transactions will be required to make an online appointment reservation, and customers arriving without an appointment will be asked to leave and make an appointment online to return at a future date.

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