Barnstable Jumps To High Risk For Coronavirus With 145 New Cases

BARNSTABLE, MA — Barnstable was designated high-risk in the state's latest town-by-town coronavirus states Thursday.

The town's positive test rate more than doubled and now sits at 5.41 percent. Barnstable also had 23.1 average daily cases per 100,000 residents, up from 2.43 percent and 24.4 last week.

The town added 145 new cases in the last two weeks, bringing it over 700 total cases.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: High-Risk List Doubles

Across the state, 61 other communities were labeled high-risk Thursday, more than double the number last week. Statewide, there were 29.7 average daily cases per 100,000 residents, up from 20.7 last week, and the positive test rate rose above 3 percent for the first time since June.

Barnstable has had 712 coronavirus cases since the virus arrived in Massachusetts in March, according to the state data.

Eight of those 145 new cases came from Barnstable Public Schools. Between Nov. 12 and 18, the district saw seven in-person students and one staff member test positive for the coronavirus.

Barnstable School Health Director Alicia Ryan said that so far, school cases have not resulted in any outbreaks. She's also hopeful new rapid testing kits from the state will help the district identify cases quicker and streamline the contract tracing process.