North Andover Case Count Rises, But Town Remains Moderate-Risk

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover added 108 coronavirus cases over the last two weeks and had a rising positive test rate, according to town-by-town data released by the state.

But the town remained moderate-risk, thanks to the new metrics introduced by the state last week. Towns must report 10 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and five percent positivity to be designated high-risk.

North Andover had 25.5 average daily cases per 100,000 residents, but a test rate of 1.21 percent. That's up from 22.6 and 1.03 percent last week.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: State Reports 10,000th Death

The town reported Monday that it had 79 active cases, bringing it to a total of 637 cases and 45 deaths.

The town reported just nine Merrimack cases, Monday. Town officials recently reached an agreement with Andover to report coronavirus cases based on which town the infected person physically sleeps in, rather than reporting all Merrimack College cases at the college's North Andover address.

Massachusetts reported 21 deaths Thursday, bringing the state's total confirmed deaths related to the virus above 10,000. The state also reported 2,482 new cases and designated 30 communities as high-risk in the latest town-by-town data, up from 16 last week.

There have been 10,015 confirmed deaths and 174,953 confirmed cases statewide since the pandemic reached the Bay State in March. The statewide positive test rate rose to 2.9 percent, the highest level since June.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.