Latest Peabody Coronavirus Case Count: 14

PEABODY, MA — The Peabody Health Department announced 14 cases of the new coronavirus were confirmed in the city. This comes after announcing the first case just five days earlier on March 21.

"COVID-19 is an evolving situation," Peabody Health Director Sharon Cameron said last Friday. "The Peabody Health Department and other key City departments have been preparing for this threat for some time. The risk level throughout Massachusetts is rising and we now know that COVID-19 is in our community."

Cases are rising statewide and on Friday afternoon, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced a record for new cases: 823 new reported cases for a total of 3,240. Essex County holds 350 of those cases and the state has seen 35 deaths.

"The thoughts of our entire community are with these residents and their families during this difficult time," the Peabody Health Department said in their statement.

Privacy laws prevent the identity of individuals with COVID-19 from being released, but the department said public health nurses are contacting those affected regularly to monitor symptoms and provide support.

They also urged residents to take the following measures:

• Continue social distancing: stay at home as much as possible. When getting fresh air, stay at least six feet away from anyone in a different household.
• If you are sick, do not leave home unless a health care provider has advised treatment at a clinical facility.
• Continue healthy eating and exercise habits as much as possible.
• Wash hand thoroughly and frequently.
• Avoiding hand-to-face contact.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or shirt sleeve.
• Follow and share credible resources, including the City of Peabody, Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
• For questions, call the Massachusetts coronavirus hotline: 211.

Don't miss updates about precautions in your area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.