Melrose Has 20K Masks On Order; 90 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases

MELROSE, MA — The city has ordered 20,000 masks that aren't expected to arrive until the end of April. Health Director Ruth Clay said in Wednesday night's Board of Health meeting Melrose doesn't expect the shipment for at least 10 days, which would be April 25.

The city already distributed more than 200 masks this week, including what they had in stock from the H1N1 pandemic and what residents made and donated. Health Department workers delivered 219 adult masks and 18 children's masks to 101 households who requested them through Melrose Helps.

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Clay said there are 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Melrose.

"We have not seen a surge really in the Melrose or Wakefield communities at this point," she said.

Clay also said the National Guard has been to nursing homes in Melrose and Wakefield, testing asymptomatic and symptomatic residents.

The Health Department also discussed the potential of making the statewide advisory that asks people to wear masks in the grocery stores enforceable. The idea did not gain traction.

Salem recently made the advisory an order after a North Shore grocery store worker died.

Clay remains one of the busiest people in Melrose. As the health director of a district that also includes Wakefield, she has been on calls with state and federal health officials almost every day throughout the week.

"There's a lot of information," she said. "The state is very, very good at giving us any new advisory that comes out, any new order that comes out from the governor's office."