Sign Of Better Times: Peabody State Of Emergency Rescinded

PEABODY, MA —Fifteen months after a state of emergency was declared in Peabody effective as of St. Patrick's Day 2020, Mayor Ted Bettencourt signed an executive order on Tuesday lifting the coronavirus crisis-related measure.

The expiration of the Peabody order comes on the same day Gov. Charlie Baker allowed the statewide order to expire as well.

"Our community and our country have been through so much during the past 15 months, but we persevered," Bettencourt said. "The latest data from the Health Department shows that we have turned a remarkable corner in our pandemic response here in Peabody.

"It is a great tribute to our dedicated city workers who adapted to changes brought on by the pandemic to keep our city safe and operational. Their contributions during these difficult times are immeasurable and we are forever grateful to them."

Bettencourt said on May 28 that the state of emergency would be lifted on June 15 and that City Hall would resume full business operations on June 21.

Bettencourt expressed special gratitude to Peabody Director of Health and Human Services Sharon Cameron and her staff "who stepped up when our city needed them most."

Bettencourt thanked the city's first responders, specifically the Peabody Police Department, Peabody Fire Department and Atlantic Ambulance, as well as Peabody's business community for their level of compliance with coronavirus-related restrictions and the push for vaccinations to be able to open as soon as possible.

The city said as of Tuesday that more than 63 percent of Peabody residents have had at least one dose of the vaccine and 56 percent are fully vaccinated.

The city said on Tuesday that the rate of new COVID cases and the percentage of positive tests are at their lowest rates since last October.

Bettencourt also noted the toll the pandemic took on the city that will never fully heal.

"Together we mourn the loss of 325 Peabody residents who have succumbed to COVID-19 and we offer our heartfelt sympathy to their families," he said.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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