MASSENA -- The town's Emergency Operations Center team is meeting daily and are ready to restart the EOC in the event of a major uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Tim Currier said the EOC team is monitoring the local numbers, and they also communicate regularly with the county Public Health Department and Emergency Services, along with Massena Hospital and other first responder agencies. The Massena EOC team includes Currier, Police Chief Jason Olson, assistant fire chiefs Tom Miller and Pat O'Brien, Fire Foreman Aaron Hardy, Village Administrator Monique Chatland, Town Supervisor Steve O'Shaughnessy and Ben Miller from Massena Rescue Squad.

He said there is no minimum number of cases that would trigger the EOC to re-activate.

"The recent cluster of cases should serve as a reminder to us all, that taking the recommended safety precautions is important," Currier said in an email. "By resuming your normal activities and increased social interactions, without taking these steps, you could be putting yourself and others at risk. I know it has been a long six months, and at a minimum, we will be dealing with COVID-19 for many months longer. Many of us, including myself, have let our guard down or have failed to practice proper safety measures at times. It’s time we all remind ourselves and those around us to be smart and safe."

The recent cluster of at least 22 cases in Massena since late August has also resulted in contact tracers reaching at least 150 people who those positive cases may have had contact with.

"I am so thankful to St. Lawrence County Director of Public Health Dana McGuire, County Administrator Ruth Doyle and Director of Emergency Services Matt Denner for being on top of the cluster in Massena and immediately communicating with me and my team here in Massena," Currier said. "I am grateful that the New York State Health Department has mobilized resources to help us contain this cluster. As we have seen throughout this pandemic, teamwork at every level is vital to ensure we can handle this pandemic, to keep our citizens safe and save lives."

The mayor also urges everyone to "do the five," which means frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds using soap, coughing into your elbow, don't touch your face, physically distance at least six feet while wearing a face mask, and staying home if you feel sick.

COVID-19 testing is available through area hospital systems by appointment only. People can call the numbers below if they have symptoms, or otherwise feel they should be tested:

St. Lawrence Health System: 315-261-6240

Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center: 315-713-6655

Clifton-Fine Hospital: 315-848-8049