Melrose Keeps Clear As Coronavirus Cases Mount Across State

MELROSE, MA — There are no known cases of the new coronavirus in Melrose despite a drastic rise in cases across Massachusetts, including Middlesex County.

Health Director Ruth Clay, who is leading the city's response to COVID-19, told Patch Tuesday she was unaware of any cases.

"Not that I know of," she said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 92 positive tests of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, with one confirmed by the CDC. Forty-one of the presumptive positives cases were in Middlesex County.

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Mayor Paul Brodeur is meeting with department heads daily as the city prepares for a potential outbreak of the new coronavirus.

"It is a rapidly changing situation and something that the city, state and country will have to adapt to on the fly," Brodeur told the City Council Monday night.

Clay is working with the state Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control, the Melrose School Department, MelroseWakefield Health Care and the police and fire departments.

Superintendent Cyndy Taymore is heading up the school district's response.

The city said residents could be asked to practice "social distancing" if the virus spreads. That would mean staying home, avoiding public places and likely the canceling of some city events.

Residents may want to plan on being cooped up for 14-27 days, the city said, using this time to stock up on essentials like food and medicine.

Brodeur said whatever the city does, the response will be specific to Melrose's situation.

"I think of this as a community problem and that means we all need to be professional, respectful of the facts, empathic and compassionate of the way we're gonna deal with this," he said.