NAHANT — Nine new cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in Nahant in recent weeks after more than a month of no reported cases, health officials say.
The additional cases bring the town’s total since March up to 50.
“I think community transmission is probably one of the major concerns,” said Public Health Nurse Deb Murphy, who noted more people have been letting their guard down during the warmer summer months. “As we see, many people remain asymptomatic and we’re seeing a lot more gatherings.”
Murphy said that with the exception of a family of four living in the same household, most of the new cases appeared unrelated to one another, and that a few were reported from asymptomatic residents who had been tested per various guidelines prior to traveling.
Thankfully, only one case among the nine is still active, she added.
“We try to do contact tracing and come up with all the exposure possibilities,” she said. “But I really could not connect any of the new cases to each other.”
Town Administrator Tony Barletta attributed the rise to an increase in summer activities, particularly at Nahant’s beaches, which have seen an unusually high number of visitors this season as locals and residents of surrounding towns look for ways to cool off in the wake of canceled vacations.
Although he acknowledged that maintaining distance from others can be difficult on a crowded beach, Barletta still urged all residents and visitors to continue adhering to recommended social distancing and mask-wearing protocols.
“This trend of increasing case numbers is occurring across the Commonwealth,” he said. “Mostly what we’re trying to do here is continue to educate the residents about the importance of social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing their hands.
“During the summer, when there’s a lot of activity outside, like at the beach or in the park or backyard parties, it’s important that people continue to practice social distancing to protect themselves and to protect the people they love.”
Murphy also emphasized the importance of residents remaining diligent.
“I would love to tell Nahant residents not to let their guard down,” she said. “Please wear your masks outside, and for the teenagers walking around in groups huddled together with no masks on, put your masks on and just be aware of your surroundings.”
In a related post on Facebook, Barletta also warned of recent phone scams in other communities involving callers claiming to be COVID-19 contact tracers.
According to Barletta, the callers may ask for personal information, including Social Security and credit card numbers.
“Please know that real contact tracers will never ask for money or your Social Security number,” he said.
For more COVID-19-related information, Nahant residents can visit nahantcovid19.com, or call the town’s COVID-19 hotline at (781) 771-2121.