Melrose To Resume Making Coronavirus Cases Public

MELROSE, MA — The city will resume making public the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Melrose, a reversal Mayor Paul Brodeur said was due to the state's "evolving position" on the matter.

Health Director Ruth Clay said Monday afternoon the city has 24 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Brodeur told Patch Sunday the city's last public update was eight.

Brodeur also said Sunday the city would not be reporting the number of cases to "stay consistent" with Department of Public Health guidelines. On Monday afternoon, he said the city would return to reporting numbers.

Earlier in the morning, the DPH said said the choice is up to individual cities and towns.

"In order to protect privacy and confidentiality of individuals who test positive for COVID-19, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health only shares positive case numbers and deaths by county," a statement read. "The decision to share case counts is the responsibility of a city or town. DPH recommends that local boards of health respect the privacy and confidentiality of residents when providing case counts."

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