MA Designates 33 Communities High, Moderate Risk For Coronavirus

Most school districts in Massachusetts should welcome students back to class, whether in a full-time or hybrid model, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday afternoon while unveiling a new color-coded map indicating the risk level of coronavirus in communities across the state.

The map (below) has 318 cities and towns shaded green or white, indicating either fewer than four confirmed cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents over the last two weeks of testing (green) or fewer than five overall cases in that timespan (white).

When asked if the map could be used to help school districts determine how to reopen next month, Baker said green and white communities should be going back with at least a hybrid model.

"If you're in a green or a white community, I can't imagine a reason not to go back," he said.

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The map also identified four communities at the highest risk level for COVID-19: Chelsea, Everett, Lynn and Revere. Those cities are shaded red, meaning there have been more than eight confirmed cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks.

There were 29 communities shaded yellow, meaning they have had between four and eight confirmed cases per 100,000.

The communities will be tasked with working alongside the state's new COVID Enforcement and Intervention team in offering testing and contact tracing and investigating gathering violations.

"Regardless of where your community sits, COVID is not going away," Baker said.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders told residents of communities in red to wear face coverings, especially when social distancing isn't possible. She said people should even wear masks in their own homes if they live with someone considered high-risk for the virus.

Everett has already issued a mask mandate, fining people in violation $300.

"Respect the virus and stay vigilant," Sudders said.

The state will release weekly community-by-community public health data to identify higher-risk cities and towns.