Arlington's Latest Coronavirus Figures

ARLINGTON, MA — A quarter of Massachusetts communities, including Arlington, had increasing coronavirus rates over the last two weeks, according to new town-by-town data released by the state Wednesday.

The latest town-by-town data showed the positive test rate over the last two weeks increased in 86 — or 25 percent — of the 351 communities in the state. The rate fell in 139, or 40 percent, communities and held steady in the remaining 126.

Arlington's case count over the last 14 days was fewer than five, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 331. The town has conducted 2,331 tests over the past two weeks, five of which came back positive. There have been 12,337 tests conducted overall in Arlington.

The town's percent positive rate rose slightly to 0.21 percent from 0.19 percent last week. Health officials say positive test results need to stay below 5 percent for two weeks or longer and, preferably, be closer to 2 percent, for states to safely ease restrictions.

The state labeled Arlington a "white" community for the second week in a row. The designation is given to communities that average fewer than five cases daily.