Latest Medford Coronavirus Updates

MEDFORD, MA — The number of positive coronavirus cases in Medford surpassed 50 Monday, according to the latest numbers from the city. There have been 53 positive cases as of Monday, March 30. There were 10 a week ago.

Health officials say the public can expect the number of positive cases to rise across the state and at home as more testing becomes available. The number of cases in Massachusetts stood at 5,752 as of Monday night, including 1,141 in Middlesex County. Across the state, some 56 people have died due to COVID-19.

Medford reported its first coronavirus case on March 10.

Here are the latest updates on the new coronavirus in Medford:

Two new drive-thru test sites:

1. MELROSE-WAKEFIELD HEALTH CARE: Beginning on Monday, March 30, patients within the Melrose-Wakefield Health Care system can qualify for drive-up testing at Lawrence Memorial Hospital Urgent Care. Patients who are pre-screened by health care providers in the network and who meet criteria for testing may be referred for testing.

Tests will be performed Monday – Friday, 7:30 – 10 a.m. and 2 – 5 p.m., and Saturday 7:30 – 10 a.m., by appointment and with a referral from a Melrose-Wakefield Health Care physician only. For information about testing, visit www.melrosewakefield.org, or contact your health care provider.

1. P1UC / CITY OF MEDFORD: On Saturday, April 5, the City of Medford and PhysicianOne Urgent Care are partnering to open a drive-through test site at PhysicianOne’s Medford location, 4110 Mystic Valley Parkway, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Patients do not need to be current patients of PhysicianOne Urgent Care but must be pre-screened by PhysicianOne Urgent Care staff in advance by going to www.P1UC.com, or by calling 855-349-2828.

Updates and Reminders:

• Street Sweeping Starts April 1: Weekly street sweeping on main streets in Medford will begin on April 1. Street sweeping is conducted Monday through Friday between 12:01 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. A full schedule of streets can be found at medfordma.org. The City will not issue parking tickets for street sweeping-related violations during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• White goods, bulk item pickup restored: As of March 30, the City’s trash and recycling contractor, Waste Management, will restore service for pickups of white goods and bulk items. Those operations had been temporarily suspended while Waste Management set up its remote constituent service center.

March 26: Mayor Lungo-Koehn submitted a letter to Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. Polito on behalf of Medford and 6 other communities, asking the administration to review its order that allows construction projects to continue in our communities. See the full letter here.

March 25: Gov. Baker announced that all Massachusetts schools will remain closed through May 3. Additionally, he ordered that all grocery stores and pharmacies dedicate at least one hour per day to individuals ages 60 and older, and that stores enforce social distancing.

Closures and restrictions currently in place: (CLICK HERE For a full list of public health orders + guidelines issued by Gov. Baker.)

• All Massachusetts schools: through May 3.
• Medford City buildings: until at least April 7.
• Parks and playgrounds (PASSIVE use only in parks): until at least April 7.
• Restaurants: may only offer take-out or delivery until at least April 7 (by order of Gov. Baker)
• Non-essential businesses: closed until at least April 6. For a list of businesses and services deemed "essential" by the Governor, CLICK HERE.
• Gatherings in any public place may not exceed 10 people (by order of Governor Baker)
• When in public, please practice social distancing.
• MBTA trains and buses are operating on a limited schedule, but should be primarily used for health care and emergency personnel.

Ways You Can Help:

• Donate: Looking for ways to volunteer, or places to donate goods and services? The state has set up a database to receive and track donations as well as goods and services for sale that could help health care professionals in treating patients with COVID-19. Visit mass.gov/covid19 for information on how you can donate things like masks, gloves, and other necessary items. Donating through the database ensures that all donations are sorted and shipped to where they are most needed.

• Give blood: The American Red Cross is in need of donations. It has set up clean, secure sites with protocols for proper social distancing. These sites will remain open as “essential services.” For more information visit www.redcross.org.

• Social distancing: The most important tool at our disposal is social distancing. Stay home as much as you can, and if you do need to go out for a walk, to the grocery store or pharmacy, keep six feet between yourself and others. Limit activities at City parks to passive use only (going for walks or hikes, no group activities or pick up games).