After 26,987 Doses, Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Ceases Weekend Operations

pentucketporta on May 25, 2021

Fully-vaccinated leaders, organizers and volunteers pose for their first group photo in more than a year at the end of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative's final weekend COVID-19 on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Nearly 30,000 doses of the vaccines were administered by the dedicated group. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

Fully-vaccinated leaders, organizers and volunteers pose for their first group photo in more than a year at the end of the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative’s final weekend COVID-19 on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Nearly 30,000 doses of the vaccines were administered by the dedicated group. (Photo courtesy Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative)

NEWBURYPORT — Thanks in no small part to an extremely dedicated group of municipal managers, fire chiefs, public health directors, nurses and a corps of volunteers from the community, the “new normal” will feel a bit more like the pre-COVID “old normal.” 

After five months, multiple locations and nearly 27,000 shots in arms, the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative officially shuttered weekend operations on May 22 with final remarks, parting gifts and citations issued from mayors and select boards in the region, honoring those who used their time, energy and skills to help bring one region closer to the end of the horrific COVID-19 pandemic.

With scattered, smaller clinics remaining for teenagers and those unable to leave home, the clinic’s operations will continue at least through June. Saturday’s clinic represented the last time the collaborative’s core group of leaders and volunteers will gather to operate a full-size clinic.

“COVID-19 has taken so much from us, but one thing I will always take away from this pandemic is the feeling closeness shared by the clinic staff,” said Amesbury Fire Chief and Health Director Ken Berkenbush. “It really has become like a family. Combined with knowing we are preventing our neighbors from getting sick, it certainly has made all the long nights and weekends well-worth it.”

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative has contributed to its member communities having among the highest vaccination rates in Massachusetts. In Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury, more than 91.5 percent of all residents over the age of 65 have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Overall, more than 65 percent of all residents age 12 and older in the nine communities have received at least one vaccination dose. The vaccination rate is even higher when those ages 12-15 are factored out, because that age group has been eligible for vaccine for only a few weeks. 

A total of 26,987 doses of all three approved vaccines have been administered by the clinic.  

Data as of May 24, 2021, showing vaccination rates in the nine communities that comprise the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative. (Courtesy Illustration/JGPR)

Data as of May 24, 2021, showing vaccination rates in the nine communities that comprise the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative. (Courtesy Illustration/JGPR)

“We have shown in practice that a municipally-driven, community-centered approach to a public health crisis can overcome many hurdles including vaccine hesitancy, immobility, manpower and logistics,” said West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny. “We are extremely proud of the results so far as we look to return to normal life.”

“It is with the deepest gratitude I offer my thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who helped make the LMRVC a huge success,” said Newburyport Mayor Donna D. Holaday. “Each of our partner communities took on leadership roles and managed a very complex operation from site work, acquiring the vaccines, registering thousands of people, coordinating volunteers and medical personnel and  completing the data required by the state.  It is because of this impressive work in vaccinating so many people in conjunction with a dramatic drop in cases, that we are able to begin fully opening our communities. ”

The Collaborative plans to distribute hundreds more Pfizer-BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson Janssen doses at smaller clinics during the next few weeks. As a reminder, the Janssen vaccine is available to those ages 18 and up and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is now available for those ages 12 and up.

The Collaborative has a Janssen clinic with open appointments on Wednesday, May 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the West Newbury Annex, 381 Main St., West Newbury. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE JANSSEN CLINIC

Three additional second-dose Pfizer-BioNTech clinics are scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 at the West Newbury Annex. At this time, June 10 is scheduled to be the final Collaborative clinic.

A new collaborative of Cape Ann communities is also hosting a Pfizer-BioNTech clinic on May 27, from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. 

JGPR is providing communications services to this effort on a pro bono basis.

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Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, and Amesbury Fire Chief/Health Director Ken Berkenbush give remarks thanking volunteers at the last large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic held by the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative on May 22. (Courtesy Photo)

Newburyport Fire Chief Christopher LeClaire, West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny, and Amesbury Fire Chief/Health Director Ken Berkenbush give remarks thanking volunteers at the last large-scale COVID-19 vaccine clinic held by the Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative on May 22. (Courtesy Photo)

No Days Off: Planning, Collaboration Drive Success of Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative Health Clinic

pentucketporta on April 21, 2021

AMESBURY – Visitors to the Lowell Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative vaccine clinic will see a smoothly-run operation filled with professional staff and dedicated local volunteers.

What visitors do not see are the countless hours of behind-the-scenes planning among the leadership team, beginning the Monday morning after every clinic.

“Sometimes, it’s Sunday night,” says Nurse Manager Diane Dardeno, who will break down the weekend with fellow Nurse Manager Tina LaCourse as Amesbury firefighters are breaking down the high school gymnasium at the end of the weekend clinic. “The goal is to be ready to go on Monday morning.”

The clinic operates under the Incident Command System, which is standard in fire services. Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush and West Newbury Health Agent Paul Sevigny serve as Incident Commanders, working the clinic site throughout each weekend to ensure smooth operations and spot potential challenges.

The clinic effort started in January, when the City of Newburyport obtained 800 Moderna doses. During six clinics, two in Newburyport and four in West Newbury, first responders and and residents age 75 and older received the two-shot regimen. Last weekend’s clinic, 12 hours total, administered 3,143 Pfizer doses. The previous weekend clinic, totaling 16 hours, administered more than 4,050 doses with no waste.

“When you grow by that many times, you can have that many more times the problems,” Sevigny says.

Sevigny and Berkenbush convene a Monday video chat to review the weekend, hear from key team members about which systems worked and which can be improved upon, brainstorm solutions and begin planning for the coming weekend’s clinics. The rest of the week is spent executing those plans, through Friday night when the clinic is set up again. The goal is continuous improvement.

Change is a constant. Canopy tents were added at the outdoor screening to protect clients from Saturday’s rain. Space heaters were brought in to fight off the cold, ensuring that outdoor volunteers remained comfortable.

Other challenges require planning and reassessment. Volunteers with internet technology experience were sought because client registration and processing needs grew and tested Amesbury High School’s network.

In the early weeks, the observation area regularly filled, and some newly vaccinated people had to wait for a seat. “Some people hadn’t been out in a while. They were just having a nice time,” and overstaying their 15-minute medical wait, Chief Berkenbush said. The team’s solution: Observation area volunteers now call out dismissal times every minute, increasing turnover.

The team also revamped its waitlist callback system to fill open appointments, because vaccines have become more readily available, and the number of no-shows/cancellations have risen. This step ensures no dose is wasted.

The first clinic operated with about 25 volunteers. Now more than 200 people volunteer on a weekend and are assigned one of 11 specific tasks from greeter to medical scribe.

Streamlining operations has cut average vaccination times from four minutes per person about three minutes, enabling the clinic to vaccinate about one-third more people per day. The clinic passed 19,000 total vaccinations on Sunday.

The clinic is successful because of a simple focus: Put a good team on the field, provide a lot of support, and collaborate.

“It takes a village,” Sevigny says. “It takes great staff, dedicated volunteers, everybody.”

Erin Rich, Director of Volunteer Services, adds, “When a problem arises, everyone collaborates. We’re all asking, ‘What’s the best solution.’ That’s a big part of it.”

Patients leave with a smile, and often with praise for the clinic’s speed, efficiency, and professionalism.

“In the end people see everything went smoothly. It promotes a general feeling of wellness,” Chief Berkenbush said.

The Lower Merrimack Valley Regional Collaborative comprises Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury. 

JGPR is providing communications services to this effort on a pro bono basis.

Pentucket Regional High School DECA Finds Success at State Conference

pentucketporta on April 16, 2021

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew is pleased to share Pentucket Regional High School DECA ‘s recent success at the State Career Development Conference.

DECA, a nonprofit business and marketing student organization, works with high schools and colleges to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

This year’s conference was held over two weeks during which 15 Pentucket students competed remotely. Competitions test students on their knowledge and expertise in business, marketing and entrepreneurial subjects.

Junior Hannah Linehan of Merrimac placed second among 11 competitors in the Financial Consulting event and qualified for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Junior Ava Spencer of Groveland placed seventh in the Professional Selling event among 26 competitors.

Pentucket’s Quiz Bowl team – Juniors Henry Endyke and Ryan Plinski, both of West Newbury, and freshman Michael Inger of Groveland – won their first-round match in quadruple overtime but lost in the second round by just two points.

“I’m proud of how well our students did this year, under especially trying conditions,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “Every one of our students will take away valuable skills that will help them be successful in their life path.”

“The competition was fierce, but every student represented Pentucket well and gave their best effort,” said Advisor Madison Estes, who founded the school’s DECA chapter in the 2018-2019 school year. “We had two junior students place in the top 10, which is an incredible honor. We can’t wait to see what next year brings.”

Students prepared for the competition after school through activities to hone their business, leadership and entrepreneurial knowledge. This year’s competition asked students to complete a 60-minute cluster exam at home and record a role play or presentation to be judged.

Estes wishes to thank the Pentucket community for its support of the DECA chapter and invites those interested in learning more about DECA to contact her at mestes@prsd.org.

Pentucket Regional School District Invites Community to Ceremony Honoring Student Artist

pentucketporta on April 14, 2021

 

Timothy Friend, a senior at Pentucket Regional High School, seen with Lord Ballard, is one of 27 student artists to be honored by Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists. (Photo Courtesy Pentucket Regional School District)

WEST NEWBURY – Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Fine & Performing Arts Department Chair Marcia Nadeau invite the public to attend a virtual ceremony honoring an award-winning artist from Pentucket Regional High School.

Senior Timothy Friend of West Newbury will be one of 27 student-artists honored during the 2021 Massachusetts Amazing Emerging Artists Recognitions Exhibit on Thursday, April 15, at 6:45 p.m. Dr. James A. Welu, Director Emeritus of the Worcester Art Museum, will deliver the keynote address.

Those interested in attending must register in advance here. 

Timothy created this puppet in the fall of 2020, as part of an Independent Study under the guidance of Art Teacher Sean Bixby. Timothy’s studies combined his interest in film, character development, script writing, puppeteering, and fiber arts. Timothy continued his independent work and portfolio development under Nadeau’s guidance this spring. 

“The puppet character that I have created and designed is a very sophisticated vulture named Lord Ballard,” Friend said. “He eats only the finest foods (no roadkill for him), sleeps in the finest nests and wears a combover which he thinks makes him look very sophisticated. Lord Ballard wears a monocle that is attached by magnets; it is removable.”

Friend drew his inspiration from Adam Kreutinger, who has designed and constructed puppets for television, film, and theatrical productions internationally.

“This in an incredible accomplishment for Timothy,” Nadeau said. “I hope the community will join the Fine & Performing Arts Department and High School in congratulating him and attending the Juried Exhibit Awards Ceremony.”

Friend’s entry and other MAEA award-winners may be viewed here.

Applications Being Accepted for West Newbury Garden Club Scholarship

pentucketporta on March 22, 2021

WEST NEWBURY — The West Newbury Garden Club is happy to announce that it will award a $2,000 scholarship to a student who resides in Groveland, Merrimac, or West Newbury. The student should plan to study at a two or four year college during the 2021-2022 school year in a field related to the environment, such as biology, botany, environmental science, environmental engineering, etc.  The applicant may be a graduating high school senior or a returning college student. The student may attend Pentucket Regional High School or a private high school as long as he/she is a resident of the Pentucket Regional School District. College students from both public and private colleges are also eligible as long as their family resides in the district.  More information, as well as the application for the scholarship, is available on the Garden Club’s website:  wngc.org.  THIS YEAR’S DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 5.  Questions may be directed to Karen Clagett at karen.clagett@gmail.com.

Lower Merrimack Valley Vaccine Clinic Reports Successful Nine-Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic, Alerts Residents to New State Guidelines Effectively Shutting it Down

pentucketporta on February 17, 2021

Ann Brady-Lozier (far left), school nurse at the Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School in Merrimac, waits with other volunteers at one of the eight vaccination stations set up at Saturday's Lower Merrimack Valley Vaccine Clinic session in West Newbury. (Courtesy Photo)

Ann Brady-Lozier (far left), school nurse at the Dr. Frederick N. Sweetsir School in Merrimac, waits with other volunteers at one of the eight vaccination stations set up at Saturday’s Lower Merrimack Valley Vaccine Clinic session in West Newbury. (Courtesy Photo)

WEST NEWBURY — Amesbury Fire Chief Ken Berkenbush, on behalf of nine Merrimack Valley communities and their fire departments and public health officials, reports that extremely successful COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been held at the Dr. John C. Page School in West Newbury over the past two weekends. Officials in the nine communities are calling attention to the efficiency and local impact of this clinic, which has served first responders and the regions’ oldest citizens, and which is now in jeopardy of ending with a sudden shift in vaccine distribution policy in Massachusetts at the state level.

“Phase two is a critical time for the vaccine distribution effort. It is where our oldest and sickest residents — our most vulnerable and least mobile — are being served,” Chief Berkenbush said. “I join my colleagues in Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury in calling for the state to reconsider its decision to cut off the vaccine supply to successful regional clinics such as ours.”

In total, the Lower Merrimack Valley Vaccine Clinic has been allocated 1,600 does to inoculate 800 residents. With second dose clinics scheduled for Feb. 18 and March 6, the clinic projects to actually use approximately 1650 doses and vaccinate 825 people, thanks to careful handling of the vials. The clinic has resulted in zero wasted doses and a 103% usage rate of the allocated doses. 

New state guidelines indicate that doses will only be made available to regional clinics that can operate five days per week, serving at least 750 doses per day.

“At the onset, we were told to prepare for 100 doses per community per week. We were prepared for more doses if they were available, but the new guidelines from the state represent a nearly fourfold increase in clinic capability,” Chief Berkenbush said. “The state is certainly aware that nearly all regional clinics will be unable to meet this threshold and are unable to guarantee both facilities and volunteers for 40 hours a week. This represents nothing short of a moving of the goalpost.”

Since the Cold War, municipalities have been asked to plan and prepare for emergency situations. Federal and state governments have for decades asked municipalities to be ready should emergencies arise, and as a result, local leaders are uniquely trained and qualified to handle a situation such as the distribution of vaccines. For example,  annually municipalities will often hold flu vaccination clinics. Emergency preparedness is also drilled and practiced regularly, among all levels of government. 

“There is no doubt there is a significant need for mass vaccine sites, especially for larger areas and areas that are more adversely impacted by the virus. However, these sites should operate simultaneously with regional clinics led by municipal Boards of Health and First Responders,” said Paul Sevigny, Director of Public Health for the Town of West Newbury. “During phase two especially, we should be asking our 80-year-old great-grandparents to travel the shortest distance to their vaccine site. Otherwise, we risk them never receiving a vaccine. Clinics like these are a literal lifeline.”

The Feb. 6 Lower Merrimack Valley Vaccine Clinic ran from 4-8 p.m. A steady stream of elderly residents and several remaining Phase 1 medical practitioners and first responders entered and and departed through different doors and filtered through the Page School’s gymnasium, where a volunteer corps of firefighters, paramedics, nurses and administrators were waiting.

The process was orderly, and residents were made to feel at ease, as they were greeted at the door by their local fire chiefs and other familiar faces. Residents, who made appointments ahead of time, were checked in before being sent toward one of eight vaccination stations. A pharmacist and pharmacy technician were on-site for the clinic to fill syringes on demand and ensure efficiency. Residents reported that their anxiety levels were significantly deceased by attending a local clinic with familiar faces greeting them at the door.

“This is an example of neighbors helping neighbors,” Chief Berkenbush said. “It would be a shame to see this effort wasted.”

Added West Newbury Fire Chief Michael Dwyer: “We have worked since last fall to execute and staff this clinic, but really we have been working for generations to be ready for this moment. We still stand ready, and the only barrier is the supply of vaccine.”

Added Merrimac Fire Chief Larry Fisher: “Our communities have rallied collectively in response to a need to deliver the vaccine. Our oldest population in many cases has challenges traveling to sites that are not local. We should continue to make all reasonable attempts to meet this population while encouraging others to use the larger mass vaccination sites.”

Residents who are eligible for a first dose vaccination can still visit mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine and residents can also search for a vaccination location near them by entering their zip code here.

However, seniors and those without internet access and others have struggled to make appointments through the state’s online system. The Councils on Aging in the nine communities, as always, stand ready to assist residents over the phone.

In addition to the fire chiefs, police chiefs, municipal managers, health agents, select boards, firefighters, police officers and EMS officials, the clinic organizers also wish to thank Erin Rich of West Newbury for serving as the volunteer coordinator for the entire clinic.

 

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Town of West Newbury Urges Continued Vigilance as COVID-19 Risk Remains High and Holidays Approach

pentucketporta on December 18, 2020

The Town of West Newbury Board of Health urges residents to remain vigilant against the spread of COVID-19 as the community remains at high risk for the disease, and to review the state’s health and safety guidance as they finalize plans and prepare for their holiday celebrations this year.

According to public health data released on Thursday, Dec. 17, the Town’s designation is now at “Red,” indicating a “high risk” of spread in the community. The average daily incidence rate for the Town of West Newbury is 49.5 per 100,000 residents, up from 42.47 last week.

There are currently 28 active cases of COVID-19 in the community. There have been a total of 78 cases in West Newbury since the start of the pandemic.

Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid high risk activities, especially indoor social or holiday gatherings, and all Massachusetts residents are under orders from the Governor to wear masks at all times while in public.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), residents should take the following precautions this holiday season:

  • Limit in-person celebrations to household members only
  • Postpone or cancel travel this holiday season. If you do choose to travel, be aware of and comply with Massachusetts travel order requirements. Note: Hawaii is currently the only state where people can travel from to Massachusetts without being required to fill out the state’s travel form and quarantine and/or produce a negative COVID-19 test result.
  • Follow the current state gathering size limits and sector-specific workplace safety standards.

Those who still choose to travel or host a small gathering are urged to consider lower risk alternatives and review the precautions they can take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

DPH recommends several lower risk activities for celebrating the holidays this year, such as:

Lower-Risk Celebrations and Activities:

  • Limit in-person holiday gatherings to only people you live with.
  • Host a virtual holiday dinner with extended family or friends.
  • Prepare foods for family and neighbors and deliver them in a contactless way.
  • Virtually attend your traditional holiday activities, such as a visit with Santa.
  • Consider virtual caroling or reciting. Provide a link to your virtual caroling for the people you want to sing to.
  • View holiday lights from your car with those you live with.

Higher-Risk Celebrations and Activities:

  • Any time you gather with others outside of your household, you increase the risk of contracting or spreading illness. All residents are discouraged from gathering with those from outside their household. Gatherings in Massachusetts are subject to gathering size limits.
  • You are risking your health and the health of others if you host or participate in any in-person festivities if you or anyone in your household:
    • has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has not completed the isolation period;
    • has symptoms of COVID-19;
    • is waiting for COVID-19 viral test results;
    • may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days; or
    • is at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults or those with certain medical conditions.
  • If in-person caroling or reciting, stay more than 25 feet from the people you are reciting or singing for and wear a mask. Remain outdoors while caroling.
  • If you visit Santa Claus in person, wear a mask, stay six feet from Santa and others while in line, and make a reservation for your visit where available.
  • If viewing holiday lights outdoors, take a one-way walk with those you live with and maintain distance from others.

Other Recommendations and Guidance:

  • Always wear your mask and watch your distance. (Remove your mask only for eating and drinking.)
  • Do not share food, drink, or any utensils, including serving utensils.
  • Seat people with plenty of space (at least six feet) from one another while dining.
  • Consider seating people at smaller tables in multiple rooms instead of around a large family table.
  • Improve ventilation by opening windows and doors.
  • If setting up outdoor seating under a tent, ensure guests are still seated with physical distancing in mind. Enclosed four-wall tents will have less air circulation than open air tents and should be considered indoor spaces (also check fire codes for heating tents).
    • If outdoor temperature or weather forces you to put down the tent sidewalls, consider leaving one or more sides open or rolling up the bottom 12 inches of each sidewall to enhance ventilation while still providing a wind break.

More information about the state’s guidance for holiday celebrations can be found here.

Additional Information

Residents are reminded to always take the following precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community:

  • Remember that an infected individual can spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms, which is why social distancing — maintaining a minimum of 6 feet from others — is critical.
  • Those who must go out are urged to:
    • Avoid gathering in groups
    • Maintain 6 feet from people outside your household
    • Do not shake hands or hug
    • Wash your hands often
  • Those who are at a high risk for COVID-19, including those over the age of 65 and with underlying health conditions, are advised to stay home and avoid non-essential tasks and errands
  • Wear a mask in indoor and outdoor spaces at all times.
  • Face coverings should:
    • Cover the nose and mouth
    • Fit snugly and comfortably against the side of the face
    • Be secured with either ties or ear loops
    • Permit breathing without difficulty
    • Be able to be washed and machine dried without damage. Face masks should be washed regularly depending on the amount of use.

For more information about COVID-19 prevention and symptoms, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website here and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health website here.