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City of Newburyport Reports First Death Due to COVID-19

Posted on: April 18, 2020 - 1:46pm

Mayor Donna D. Holaday, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Christopher LeClaire, City Marshal Mark Murray and Health Director Frank Giacalone regret to report that a Newburyport resident has died from complications of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

No further information about the individual is being released at this time. 

There are currently 34 known cases of the novel coronavirus in Newburyport.

“It is with great sadness we share this news with our City,” Mayor Holaday said. “We offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this individual. We have been working tirelessly to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and will continue to provide regular updates to residents as information becomes available.”

The City of Newburyport has been actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic, and is closely following the latest guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization and has led Governor Charlie Baker to declare a State of Emergency in Massachusetts and led to a formal request, which was granted by the federal government, for a Major Disaster Declaration in the Commonwealth.

Earlier this week, the Newburyport Board of Health issued an emergency order banning public gatherings of any size, requiring customers and employees of essential businesses to wear protective face masks and banning evictions in the City until further notice in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The City has additionally developed a centralized web page, Newburyport Connected — Community Resources, with information for residents pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis including food resources, opportunities to volunteer or donate, information on the federal CARES Act and support for small businesses. To visit the page, click here.

Residents with questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic can also call 211, a phone number established by the state to provide the public with information  throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, residents can visit the Massachusetts DPH’s website here for the latest updates regarding the COVID-19 situation in Massachusetts, and can learn more about COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by clicking here.