New Metrics Take Malden Out Of High-Risk Category

MALDEN, MA — Malden was designated a moderate-risk community by the state Friday after weeks in the high-risk category.

The city's case count and positive rate both rose, but the state used new metrics for designating risk levels in the latest town-by-town release. Over 100 cities and towns fell out of the high-risk zone due to the change.

Communities can move into the next phase of reopening if they spend three consecutive weeks outside the high-risk category.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Statewide Test Rate Hits 2%

Malden reported 156 cases over two weeks, up from 129 the previous week, and a positive test rate of 2.65 percent, up from 2.43. The city has had 1,875 confirmed cases since March.

Malden previously had to revert to Phase 3 Step 1 after being designated a high-risk community for three consecutive weeks.