Video Update for August 5
This is Mayor Brodeur.
The weekly DPH COVID-19 number have been released and Melrose stands at 287 positive cases as of 4 p.m. This represents an increase of 6 over last week. Melrosians have received 7,310 tests, an increase of 661 over last week’s numbers. In order to keep making progress, please keep wearing face coverings, maintaining that social distance of at least six feet, and continue good hygiene practices. These important public health measures help keep everyone safe. And please remember that you can get a no-cost test even if you don’t have symptoms at any of the 17 testing sites offered by the state.
A huge thank you to Officer Levi DiFranza and Sgt. Charles Byrne of the Melrose Police Department for helping save the life of a 14-year-old male who was impaled by the spikes at the top of a fence after he tried to jump the fence to help an older woman who tripped on the sidewalk. His friends used a sweatshirt to attempt to stop the bleeding until first responders arrived. Immediately upon arriving, Officer DiFranza used his department-issued tourniquet to stop the bleeding and squeezed the pressure point while waiting for the Melrose Fire Department to arrive. The young man is expected to make a full recovery.
Starting on Thursday August 6, Melrose residents can expect to see temporary parklets in traffic spaces in the City’s business districts. Parklets are essentially miniature urban parks where people can relax and enjoy the outdoors in a socially-distanced manner. Surrounded by water-filled barriers, these parklets will come equipped with tables and chairs. While neighboring businesses have been notified and their patrons can use the parklets to eat or enjoy a cup of coffee, these parklets are open to all members of the public, not just patrons of a particular shop or restaurant. I hope you will check these out and let us know what you think. You can provide feedback at sharedstreets@cityofmelrose.org. In the meantime, thank you for all you are doing to keep our communities safe. Together, we will get through this.