Latest Coronavirus Numbers In Medford

MEDFORD, MA — Nearly two-thirds of Massachusetts communities, including Medford, had falling or steady positive coronavirus test rates over the last two weeks, according to new town-by-town data released by the state Wednesday.

The latest data showed the positive test rate over the last two weeks increased in 121 — or 34.5 percent — of the 351 communities in the state. The rate fell in 82 — or 23.4 percent — communities and held steady in the remaining 148.

Medford's case count over the last 14 days rose to 41, bringing the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 1,242. However, its percent positive rate over the last two weeks held relatively steady at 0.36 percent. That's well below the threshold health officials recommend for restrictions to be eased.

Health officials say positive test results need to stay below 5 percent for two weeks or longer and, preferably, be closer to 2 percent, for states to safely ease restrictions. Only three towns were above that 5 percent positive threshold, but 11 towns were added to the list of high-risk, or "red," communities. In total, 29 communities have been labeled "red" and cannot move on to the next phase of reopening, per new state regulations.

Medford has conducted 13,201 tests over the past two weeks, 48 of which came back positive. There have been 50,620 tests conducted overall in Medford.

The state continues to label Medford a "yellow" community, a designation given to cities and towns that average 4-8 cases per 100,000 people daily.

View the state's interactive COVID-19 map.