Orange Back In 'Red Zone' Amid Uptick In COVID Cases

ORANGE, CT — The number of high coronavirus alert "red zone" municipalities in the state more than doubled in the past week, as infections in Orange also took a turn in the wrong direction.

The state Department of Public Health reported 20 towns with 15 or more cases per 100,000 on Thursday, up from just eight the previous week. Connecticut's seven-day moving positive test rate average has been incrementally increasing, but still remains well below rates seen earlier in the year.

Orange's coronavirus alert level climbed from "orange" back to "red," the highest level, as the town reported 19.5 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 8.2 percent between March 13-26, according to DPH.

In total, the town saw 38 cases over a two-week period, according to the data.

It's important to note that a few cases can have a large impact on a municipal case rate, especially for small towns.