Medford Positive Coronavirus Test Rate Close To Statewide

MEDFORD, MA — The state has been praised in recent weeks for its effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. But there are still some towns where positive test rates remain high.

For the first time Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the positive test rate for the previous two weeks for every town and city in the state, a key indicator of when it's safe to ease up on social distancing measures.

The statewide positive test rate during that time frame was 2.25 percent. Medford's was higher, but not by much, at 2.42 percent.

There have been 1,039 confirmed cases of the virus in the city. Medford has conducted 8,372 tests and has an infection rate of 1,708.48 cases per 100,000 residents.

The New York Times reported last month that positive test result rates need to stay below 5 percent for two weeks or longer and, preferably, be closer to 2 percent, for states to safely ease up social distancing restrictions. Only then can people feel confident the state has adequate testing in place to keep the coronavirus in check.