Health & Fitness
Year's First Human Case Of EEE Reported: Patch PM
Also: Coronavirus clusters likely a contributing factor to cases creeping up; City removes 'Thin Blue Line' flag from fire truck; More
Today is Monday, Aug. 3. Here are some of the top stories we are covering today.
The state's first human case of Eastern equine encephalitis this season was reported in Middleboro on Monday.
Middleboro Town Manager Robert Nunes said the Massachusetts Department of Public Health informed the town of the positive diagnosis, and that all outdoor activities on town property are prohibited from dusk until dawn.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Department of Public Health said the person is a boy under 18 years old.
State health officials earlier this summer detected EEE in mosquitoes in what they said was the earliest discovery in two decades.
Find out what's happening in Bostonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The DPH has raised the EEE risk level to "critical" in Middleboro and Carver. Kingston, Plympton and Rochester are at "high" risk. Bridgewater, Halifax, Lakeville, Plymouth, and Wareham in Plymouth County, and Raynham and Taunton in Bristol County, are at "moderate" risk.
The DPH had already announced the first Middlesex County mosquitoes to test positive for EEE.
After five consecutive days with coronavirus numbers around 300 cases, the percent of positive tests went above two percent over the weekend – breaking the threshold for the first time since mid-June.
The milestone leaving some to wonder whether the state should scale back its reopening. But Health and Human Services Secretary MaryLou Sudders said the state's move into phase 3 didn't drive that trend.
"We're seeing the number of cases increase as well as our positive testing. And we've seen a number of clusters over the past few weeks," Sudders said Friday.
The city removed a "Thin Blue Line" flag from one of its fire trucks after it was brought to Mayor Joseph Curtatone's attention Sunday. A Twitter user shared a picture of the truck and tagged Curtatone, who issued the following statement:
"Flags are off the trucks. They were not authorized to be there. Looking into how they got there. Sincerely hope the people who did this did not realize how hurtful it would be to people in our community."
The photo has since been taken down.
Also
Somerville Still Not Ready To Start Phase 3 Reopening
City officials said they will continue to evaluate reopening every two weeks and have offered public spaces for outdoor fitness classes.
2 More Falmouth Lifeguards Test Positive For Coronavirus: Town
The two new cases, which were reported Sunday, take the total of lifeguards to test positive to 10 after 8 cases were reported last week.
Danvers Man Sentenced After Guilty Plea In Child Porn Case
Joseph Corbett used an email address that started with "fatheroftwobeautifulgirls" to exchange the images of girls as young as six.
Rep. Seth Moulton's two challengers in next month's Democratic primary went on the offensive in the first debate.
'Black Lives Matter' Banner Litmus Test For City Hall Messaging
The Medford City Council hit pause on hanging a "Black Lives Matter" banner until a policy on messaging at City Hall is determined.
2 Patriot Place Restaurants Closed By Positive Coronavirus Tests
Citizen Crust and Tavolino recently after multiple employees tested positive. The restaurant's owner is frustrated by testing protocols.
Somerville Brewing Company Is Closing
The brewery behind the Slumbrew brand announced it is shutting down after filing for bankruptcy last fall.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.