MASSACHUSETTS — Six new communities were in the red in the state’s latest coronavirus map, upping the number of communities at high risk for COVID-19 infections to 13.
Chatham, Dedham, Lynnfield, Methuen, Monson and New Bedford were moved into the high-risk category, joining Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere and Winthrop. Westhampton improved enough from the previous report to be removed from the high-risk category.
For Dedham and Lynnfield, the high-risk designation led to the delay of in-person learning just a week before school was set to start. A series of parties is being blamed for COVID-19 clusters in Dedham.
Everett, which has long struggled with getting the virus under control and has mandated face coverings in the city, closed parks and playgrounds Wednesday.
“This declaration is the first of many that the City will be taking to stop the spread once again,” Mayor Carlo DeMaria said. “Taking a few steps backwards for the better of our community will truly benefit everyone in the future.”
Communities shaded red in the map have seen more than eight confirmed coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week span. The state has recently allocated additional resources into many such communities.
Communities shaded yellow have between four and eight cases per 100,000 residents and are considered at moderate risk; communities shaded green have fewer than four cases per 100,000 residents; and communities shaded white have fewer than five cases confirmed over the two-week span.
PEABODY PATCH
