Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/more/aroundtown/page/357/)
Watertown’s COVID-19 cases continued to drop this week, but the Town saw three more COVID-19 deaths. The fatalities, reported by the Watertown Health Department in the Town Manager’s weekly COVID-19 message, were the first for the Town since the first week of 2021. Watertown had 133 cases reported over the previous 14 days in the Mass. Department of Public Health report of Feb. 11, 2021.
Watertown Senior Center
The following information was provided by the Watertown Senior Center:
Programs for Week of February 15, 2021
Join us via Zoom for the following programs. Call for access info: (617) 972-6490. New participants always welcome in every program! We hope you’ll join us! Monday: Presidents’ Day~Senior Center Closed~No ProgramsTuesday: 10:00 AM, Reader’s Advisory with WFPL’s Emily Levine12:30 PM, Tai Chi & Meditation with Marie2:00 PM, Line Dancing with Bradley Wednesday: 11:00 AM, Exercise with Joanna2:00 PM, Zoom Tour Part 2 of Isabella Stewart Gardner MuseumThursday: 9:00 AM, Pilates with Marina Z.10:30 AM, Talk with Tom: Coffee & Casual Conversation12:00 PM-1:30 PM, Grab-n-Go pickup for those who pre-registered2:00 PM, “Love Songs of Valentine’s Day” with John Clark, American Music ExperienceFriday: 10:00 AM, Exercise with Shannon Lee Jones 12:00 PM, Seated Strength & Balance with Pearl1:00 PM, New! Weight Management with Pearl ~ see the newsletter for details.NEW TIME! 2:45 PM, Mellowtones Chorus with Anne Silverman
COVID-19 Vaccine Update
COVID-19 vaccines are on everyone’s minds right now and there are many questions about how to get a vaccine.
A Watertown long-term facility is being investigated after reports of elder abuse and neglect surfaced. Vero Health & Rehab, also called the Watertown Health Center, is the focus of an investigation by the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office after Watertown Police responded to reports of abuse of residents at the facility on Coolidge Hill Road, according to a report by WBZ Channel 4 investigation. WBZ found reports of residents who were bruised and suffered cuts, firefighters finding a man on the floor injured and asking for help, and a patient’s ventilator not working. Hundreds of 911 calls were made from the facility in the last couple years, including some from patients. State officials found the facility was deficient in COVID-19 infection control, according to the story, and Medicare surveys rated the overall quality of care he below average.
The following announcement was provided by the Town of Watertown:
Watertown Health Department – COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic for Watertown Seniors age 75 and older. The Watertown Health Department has been allotted 100 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the Department of Public Health, per State requirements. A clinic will be held for Watertownresidents 75 and older ONLY on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 9am-11:30am, Community Room, Watertown Police Department, 552 Main Street. An appointment is required to get a vaccine. To register and for more information, go to:https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/private_registration/97f13e6e-e981-442a-916f-1f96c0a2c8c4
Watertown Seniors requiring assistance with registering for this clinic can call the Senior Center at (617) 972-6490.
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:
Please join us for the February Monthly Meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment for a presentation by Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Working Group. Topics will include updates, concerns and activities regarding immigrants at the international, national and state levels, as well as the local endeavors of the working group in our community. There will also be opportunity for comments and questions. The zoom meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 17 at 7:00 PM. You can zoom in at 6:45 PM for a bit of socializing prior to the official beginning of the meeting.
Town officials gave a big “shout out” to the members of the Watertown Health Department for all the work they have done during the pandemic, including the recent free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. This week, the first members of the general public, age 75 and older, got the vaccine from the Health Department, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll said more vaccinations will be done next week. The Town will also continue to offer free COVID-19 testing through the end of February. Town Council President Mark Sideris took time during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting to thank the Health Department. “I wanted to give a shout out to our Health Department, which has gone above and beyond for just about a year to make this community as safe as possible during the pandemic,” Sideris said.
The number of COVID-19 cases continued to drop, and the number of recent cases dropped to its lowest point since the beginning of December. According to the latest Mass. Department of Public Health report, Watertown has had 157 cases over the prior 14 days. The number dropped by 78 from the previous week’s report. The last time the Town had fewer cases over the previous 2 weeks was the Dec.
The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement about the survey on how accessible the materials and building are to all residents:
WFPL is committed to making our building and materials accessible to all. If you use the Watertown Free Public Library or Hatch Makerspace, please take a moment to complete our accessibility survey. Your responses will help us improve on our deficits as well as build upon our successes.
Take the survey, either online or by printing it out, by clicking here. If you choose to print the survey, please complete and return it to the Library. You may also type and email your responses to Caitlin Browne at cbrowne@watertown-ma.gov. Any responses received with identifiable information will be kept confidential.