Burlington Coronavirus Risk Level Increases, Town Adds 44 Cases

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington added 44 coronavirus cases over the last two weeks and had a rising positive test rate, according to town-by-town data released by the state.

The town rose to the moderate-risk designation, a week after dropping back to low-risk. But the town remained out of the high-risk category, thanks to the new metrics introduced by the state last week. Towns must report 10 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and five percent positivity to be designated high-risk.

Burlington had 11.3 average daily cases per 100,000 residents, but a test rate of 2.03 percent. That's up from 5.9 and 1.26 percent last week.

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

The town has had 415 total cases, according to the state data.

Massachusetts reported 21 deaths Thursday, bringing the state's total 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.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.