Beverly Coronavirus Cases Rise After Return Of Outdoor Dining

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly had 11 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the week ended July 8, ending a month of steady declines, according to data released Wednesday by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

For the week ended July 1, Beverly recorded no new coronavirus cases. The last time the weekly new case count was higher than the previous week's new case count was the week ending June 10, when there were 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Beverly.

It's not clear why the cases increased last week, but the jump in new cases comes less than two weeks after restaurants reopened and Beverly expanded options for restaurants to offer outdoor dining. The week also spanned the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Although Beverly canceled all of its official celebrations, some residents held an unsanctioned parade.

On Tuesday, Beverly Hospital was treating 12 COVID-19 patients, including two in intensive care. Those numbers were down from one week earlier, when 17 COVID-19 patients were admitted at the hospital.

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According to the DPH data, 640 residents have been tested for coronavirus over the past two weeks. The city's positive test rate over that time period was 2.28 percent, slightly above the state average of 2.25 percent.

The New York Times reported last month 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 up social distancing restrictions.

Dave Copeland covers Beverly and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).