Waltham Coronavirus Count Jumps To 13

WALTHAM, MA — Mayor Jeannette McCarthy announced the number of positive cases of new coronavirus in Waltham has jumped from six to 13, Monday, the same day the governor issued a stay-at-home order.

"Those 13 cases are in isolation," she said in an email to Patch. "This number will go up as more people are tested."

Saturday the AFC Urgent Care tested 175 people in its one day drive-thru testing center. Read More>>175 Show Up For Waltham Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing

The local increase of coronavirus cases comes as the number of cases in Massachusetts jumped to 777. Gov. Charlie Baker said the state's goal is to expand daily testing, meaning the number will only increase.

Baker's order also restricts public gathering to no more than 10 people, down from the previous 25. The Department of Public Health is now advising people to stay home and "avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities" until at least April 7.

Mayor McCarthy said she planned to provide updates every Sunday night in addition to the daily updates on the city website.

The governor announced two weeks ago that schools will be closed until April 6, though the commissioner for Massachusetts public schools indicated that could last longer. Read more>> School Commissioner To Principals: Closures May Last Beyond April 7

Updates:

School and municipal buildings are closed, the fire and police department are open. Meals on Wheels and school meals are still on for those in need. Read more: Meals for Students In Waltham: Where To Go

Trash and recycling are both on regular schedules. Yard waste collection begins April 6.

No late fees on real estate taxes as long as you pay them by June 1.

City Council still plans to meet and are working on how to hold meetings so that both city council and school committee meetings can be held virtually and how residents can participate.

Recreation: Parks, playground closed. Parks programs have been cancelled til March 27.

Check on your neighbors:

Many grocery stores have set aside special hours for shopping in the morning exclusively for seniors. People over the age of 60 or anyone with pre-existing medical issues are especially vulnerable.

McCarthy suggested perhaps the best thing you can do is check on your neighbors, especially if they're older.

In addition to the mayor's update Sunday, Waltham School Committee John Frassica gave an update on what was happening at the schools, check out the video here:

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Meals for Students In Waltham: Where To Go

Coronavirus In Waltham Update: What To Know

MA Issues Stay-At-Home Order

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