Medford's Positive Coronavirus Test Rate Up To 4 Percent

MEDFORD, MA — Medford saw a sharp increase in its coronavirus figures over the past week, as the number of cases continues to rise across the state.

The city reported a positive test rate of 4.17 percent, up from 2.49 percent last week and 1.92 percent the week before. Massachusetts reported a statewide rate of 5.5 percent, increasing slightly from the previous week's 5.1 percent.

Also over the past week, Medford was averaging 47.6 new cases per day per 100,000 people. That's up from the average daily rate of 33.5 measured in Medford on Dec. 9 and 24.6 reported on Dec. 2.

The state Department of Public Health reported 5,883 new coronavirus cases statewide and 30 new deaths Thursday afternoon. That marked the state's highest weekly average death rate since April.

The latest vaccine report shows the number of residents who are fully vaccinated has surpassed 5 million. About 75 percent of Medford residents are fully vaccinated, and 84 percent are partially vaccinated.

The state releases town-by-town testing data every Thursday, including the number of people tested, the testing rate, the positive test rate, cases and infection rates.