Brookline Reports 68 Coronavirus Cases, 2 New Deaths

BROOKLINE, MA — The number of people who are testing positive for the coronavirus is rising in Brookline.

"While we had been doing a good job keeping our numbers down over the summer and early fall, it's clear that community spread is becoming a more significant concern and that we need to be more aggressive in preventing the spread of this virus," Brookline Health Commissioner Swanni Jett.

Brookline has reported a total of 624 cases of people testing positive for the COVID-19 virus since the pandemic began, 68 of those in the past two weeks. Since the beginning of the pandemic 67 people in Brookline have died, two of them since Nov. 9.

According to state data between during the past two weeks Brookline has averaged 7.5 people testing positive for the coronavirus per 100,000 people. But the town stays at low risk, thanks to new metrics introduced by the state last week. Towns must report 10 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and 5 percent positivity to be designated high-risk. Brookline's test rate is at .65 percent

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: State Reports 10,000th Death

For the past two weeks Brookline has averaged 10 new cases per day. This increase is attributable to community spread from a variety of sources, according to Jett.

Brookline is still designated a lower risk community, because it has not been in the "red" category during any of the past three weekly state reports. It is coded "green" on state data. Lower risk communities are permitted to move into Step II of Phase III of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan.

Still, the news of the uptick comes shortly after weeks of increasing cases around the commonwealth, with hospitalizations up by 145 percent since Labor Day. Gov. Charlie Baker asked that gatherings in homes be limited to 10 and he updated the state mask guidance.

"With the holidays approaching, we want residents to remain mindful of the need to adhere to all of the COVID-19 safety guidelines and recommendations, and give thorough consideration to limiting their holiday celebrations this year in order to keep themselves and their loved ones safe," said Jett.

Brookline Public Health officials recommended people consider hosting outdoor activities rather than indoor activities if at all possible as the holidays approach.

"During holiday celebrations, you should maintain a distance of at least 6 feet or more from people you don’t live with, wear a mask and avoid busy eating areas, such as restaurants during high volume mealtimes," said Jett in a statement.

If you participated in higher risk activities or think you may have been exposed during your celebration, Jett recommends getting a COVID-19 virus test and taking extra precautions for 14 days after the event to protect others.

There is coronavirus testing at the Brookline Department of Public Health building until Dec. 31.

PCR swab tests are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by booking online here.

Testing is available for both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, however, only the costs for those displaying symptoms will be processed through the patients’ health insurance provider. Asymptomatic individuals will be required to pay $140.

Massachusetts reported 21 deaths Thursday, bringing the state's confirmed deaths related to the virus above 10,000. The state also reported 2,482 new cases and designated 30 communities as high-risk in the latest town-by-town data, up from 16 last week.

There have been 10,015 confirmed deaths and 174,953 confirmed cases statewide since the pandemic reached the Bay State in March. The statewide positive test rate rose to 2.9 percent, the highest level since June.