BOSTON (CBS) – The number of communities in Massachusetts that are considered at high risk for coronavirus infections has increased for the fourth consecutive week. As of Thursday, the number of cities and towns in the high-risk red category is 77, up from 55 last week.
CHEQUE: Village by village Coronavirus data
State health officials categorize cities and towns as red, green, yellow, or gray based on the daily rate of COVID-19 cases.
COVID cases per town 4/8/21 (Image Credit Mass. DPH)
As of Thursday, the following communities are considered high risk:
Abington, Adams, Athol, Ayer, Barnstable, Billerica, Blackstone, Brewster, Brockton, Carver, Chatham, Chelmsford, Chicopee, Dennis, Dighton, Dracut, East Longmeadow, Edgartown, Everett, Fall River, Framingham, Freetown, Granby, Halifax, Hamilton, Hampden, Hanson, Holyoke, Hopedale, Hull, Lakeville, Lawrence, Littleton, Lowell, Ludlow, Lynn, Mansfield, Mashpee, Methuen, Middleboro, Milford, Monson, Nantucket, New Bedford, Oak Bluffs, Orange, Palmer, Paxton, Peabody, Plainville, Plymouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Revere, Sandwich, Saugus, Seekonk, Somerset, Southampton, Southboro, Springfield, Sutton, Swansea, Taunton, Tisbury, Tyngsboro, Ware, Wareham, Wenham, West Boylston, West Bridgewater, West Springfield , Westport, Whitman, Williamstown, Winchendon, Yarmouth.
The red zone on this week’s map shows clear infection groups related to epidemiologists.
“We have to keep a close eye on the groups. These red areas do worry me, ‘said dr. Mark Siedner, a specialist in infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, said.
So far, five million shots have landed in Massachusetts and 1.6 million people have been completely vaccinated.
‘The concern I have is that hospitalizations have risen by 20% in the last two weeks. This should not happen if people at high risk are really protected, ‘said Dr. Siedner said.
As cases and hospitalizations increased, the mortality rates remained the same. Dr Siedner says we will know in a few more weeks if there is cause for concern.
‘I think you see the medical and epidemiological community holding their breath to ask the question: did we open up too fast? Or is the vaccination catching up as fast as we need it to? And time will tell, ‘said Dr. Siedner said.
Dr Siedner said that although the state is reopening the economy, people need to remember to limit their social interaction and continue to wear masks.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Thursday reported 1,938 new confirmed COVID cases and eight additional deaths in the state.