Reading's Positive COVID Test Rate Dips, Stays Above 7 Percent

READING, MA — Reading saw a gradual increase in its coronavirus figures in recent weeks, as the number of cases continues to rise across the state.

The town reported a positive test rate of 7.67 percent, which was a slight drop from 7.89 percent last week, but still higher than 6.56 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, Reading was averaging 61.7 new cases per day per 100,000 people. That's up from the average daily rate of 59.6 measured in Reading on Dec. 9 and 43.1 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 73 percent of Reading residents are fully vaccinated, and 82 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.