Burlington Designated High Risk In Latest State Update

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington was designated high risk for the coronavirus by the state for the first time Thursday, with its positive test rate rising above 5 percent.

The town added 151 coronavirus cases over the last two weeks and had a positive test rate of 5.31 percent, above the 5 percent threshold to be designated high risk, according to state data.

The 151 new cases bring the town to 648 since the virus arrived in Massachusetts in the spring. There were 38.77 average daily cases per 100,000 residents over that same two week period, with 163 positive tests among 3,071 tests taken.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Rates Rise In 82% Of Towns

Burlington joined 157 other Massachusetts communities on the high-risk list Thursday, up from 97 a week ago. Over 80 percent of cities and towns reported rising positive test rates and nearly half had positive rates above 5 percent.

Statewide, there were 50 average daily cases per 100,000 residents.

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