Salem Board of Health Votes to Rescind COVID-Related Public Health Rules

Board cites feedback from hospital leaders and improving public health conditions in community
vaccines

Based on feedback from local hospital leaders and improving public health metrics in the community, the Salem Board of Health has voted unanimously to rescind its orders of December 22, 2021, which re-instated the City’s indoor mask requirement and established a temporary “proof of vaccination for entry” requirement into certain types of establishments in the city as the Omicron variant was beginning to surge and hospital capacity rapidly diminished. The rescission of both policies takes effect immediately.

The Board and City staff have monitored a wide variety of public health metrics and datapoints on a daily and weekly basis since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As it became clear that conditions in Salem and the region were improving even further than they were statewide in terms of case rates and hospitalizations, Dr. Jeremy Schiller, the Board’s chair, reached out to Dr. David Roberts, president of Salem Hospital, for his assessment of the conditions at the hospital. A copy of Dr. Roberts’ letter in response to Dr. Schiller and the Board is attached.

A summary of the key metrics and data prompting the Board’s decision is below:

Metric

January 15, 2022 (Vaccine order in effect)

February 8, 2022 (Current)

% Change (Salem)

% Change (State)

2-week new case rate

275.12

44.27

-84%

-77%

Salem Hospital COVID+ patients

95

23

-76%

-59*

ICU Occupancy*

99.1%

81.5%

-18%

-9%

Wastewater surveillance data**

1.360288 (million copies per L)

0.318538

-77%

-77%

*Local ICU occupancy data is for the northeast Massachusetts region. Latest statewide COVID+ hospitalized patient count and ICU capacity data from February 7, 2022.

**Number reflects change in SESD Salem and MWRA North wastewater surveillance through February 3, 2022.

The City has published comprehensive data sets on local COVID-related metrics from the start of the pandemic at www.salem.com/covid. In rescinding the December 22, 2021, orders the Board indicated that it would continue to monitor relevant data points and respond accordingly to the evidence.

The Board also reiterated that the rescission of the orders only eliminates the Board’s requirement that masks be worn and that proof of vaccination be shown in certain establishments; all Salem businesses and public spaces are free and within their rights to establish their own voluntary safety requirements for entry by customers, staff, and the public. Those entering any establishment with its own rules and standards for service should continue to follow those rules and respect the business owners, their employees, and fellow customers.

The Board, through the Salem Health Department, anticipates issuing an advisory within the coming days recommending when and for whom masks should continue to be worn, to help further reduce transmission of COVID.

“The Salem Board of Health has and will always make decisions on Covid mitigation based upon the science and data available,” said Board chair Dr. Jeremy Schiller. “These metrics are analyzed on a daily basis and consequently, given the current local hospitalization numbers and ICU capacity, it warranted revisiting these measures. Given the dramatic decline of Covid hospitalizations and increased ICU capacity, the Board felt it was prudent to lift the mask mandate and the vaccine requirement. These powerful tools remain effective at protecting oneself and our community against Covid and we strongly encourage those not vaccinated or fully vaccinated to do so. On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank all those helping to keep Salem safe.”

“COVID has taken the lives of 115 of our neighbors here in Salem and impacted the lives of many thousands more here,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “I am incredibly grateful for the expertise and thoughtfulness of our Board of Health. They have and will continue to make decisions driven by science and data, aimed at protecting public health in the best interest of our community. Salem has been a leader in responding to COVID, from the very outset of this pandemic. From testing options, to piloting wastewater and school testing programs; from stepping forward to stand up a regional homeless quarantine site, to establishing mask and testing requirements during our busy October season. We will continue to respond to the data and never lose sight of our primary goal: keeping Salem safe, open, and strong.”

“The Board did the right thing in implementing the proof of vaccination measure back when it voted in December,” said Dr. David Roberts. At that time, we were not sure how bad the Omicron surge would be but knew that if it was not taken seriously enough, residents and the local healthcare system would pay a heavy price. We are grateful to the Salem Board of Health, local businesses, and residents for their consideration of these factors. Undoubtedly the proof of vaccination measure as well as the indoor masking mandate have saved lives. As we continue to live with COVID and its future variants, we encourage the City to maintain its data-driven approach and streamline its ability to respond quickly to put mitigation measures in place as needed.”

“Salem’s Health Department and other City staff will continue to monitor critical metrics about COVID cases, our hospital readiness, and testing and vaccinations,” said the City’s Health Agent David Greenbaum. “Our aim is to ensure that we can respond effectively and quickly to changing circumstances and policies. The City has distributed thousands of masks, free rapid COVID tests, and more throughout the pandemic. We will continue to be pro-active in responding to COVID in Salem.”

“While case numbers are in decline, COVID is still present in our community,” cautioned Salem’s Public Health Nurse Suzanne Darmody. “As we step back from this heightened level of mitigation, it’s important for every Salem resident to be vigilant and be aware of how quickly circumstances pertaining to COVID can change. Avoid going to work or school if you are not feeling well and get vaccinated as soon as possible if you’re not already vaccinated.”

“We urge all Salem residents to continue to keep our community safe by getting your COVID-19 vaccine and booster, which are proven to be very effective and lifesaving,” added Maggie Brennan, president of North Shore Community Health.