New Metrics Take Tewksbury Out Of High-Risk Category

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury was designated a moderate-risk community by the state Friday, after first being labeled high-risk last week.

The town's case count and positive rate held level, but the state used new metrics for designating risk levels in the latest town-by-town release. Over 100 cities and towns fell out of the high-risk zone due to the change.

Too many weeks in the high-risk category can force towns to roll back reopening.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Statewide Test Rate Hits 2%

Tewksbury reported 53 cases over the last two weeks, up from 51 last week, and a positive test rate of 1.53 percent, up from 1.46. Since March, the town has had 760 confirmed cases.

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