The number of cities and towns classified as “high risk” for the spread of COVID has increased for the second consecutive week, after a decline of one month, according to the most recent data from the Department of Public Health.
There are now 32 communities in the red zone, where the risk of catching COVID-19 is greatest, the latest data show.
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Last week, the number of communities at high risk was 20, compared to 14 the week before.
The number of residents living in high-risk communities went from 692,848 in the week of March 18 to 1,056,972 this week, representing an increase of 52.6%, according to data compiled by MassLive / The Republican.
According to the New York Times, there were an average of 1,920 cases per day in the past week in Massachusetts, which represents 28% of the average two weeks earlier.
Here is an analysis of the high-risk communities by county:
Barnstable County: Barnstable, Brewster, Dennis, Harwich, Mashpee, Sandwich, Yarmouth
Berkshire County: Lee
Bristol County: Fall River, Freetown, New Bedford, North Attleborough
Essex County: Haverhill, Lawrence, Lynn, Methuen
Hampden County: Chicopee, Monson, Palmer, Southwick
Middlesex County: Lowell
Norfolk County: Bellingham, Millis, Plainville
Plymouth County: Hanson, Pembroke, Plymouth, West Bridgewater
Worcester County: Blackstone, Lancaster, Sutton, Templeton
Risk designations – which are colored, gray, green, yellow and red based on levels of infection – are determined using various metrics for three population categories: communities with a population of less than 10,000; between 10,000 and 50,000; and greater than 50,000.
For communities with less than 10,000 residents, “gray” will be assigned if there are 10 cases in total or less; “Green” if there are up to 15 cases; “Yellow” if there are up to 25 cases; and “red” if there are more than 25 cases.
For communities with between 10,000 and 50,000 residents, “gray” will be assigned if there are 10 cases in total or less; “Green” if there are less than 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than 10 cases; “Yellow” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents or a test positivity rate of 5% or more; and “red” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 5% or more.
And for communities with more than 50,000 residents, “gray” will be assigned if there are 15 cases in total or less; “Green” if there are less than 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than 15 cases; “Yellow” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents or a positive test rate of 4% or more; and “red” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 4% or more.
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