Barnstable Taken Off Coronavirus High-Risk List

BARNSTABLE, MA — For the first time since December, Barnstable is no longer considered a "high-risk" community for coronavirus.

Barnstable was one of 38 cities and towns that dropped off the state's list of red high risk communities over the past week. There are now just 28 communities on the list. Cases have been trending down in recent weeks, and on Thursday two important markers — the positive test rate and daily new cases — fell below key thresholds in Barnstable.

As of Thursday, Barnstable's positive test rate was 4.03 percent, and the town was adding about 22 new cases per day per 100,000 people. Compare that to about a month ago on Jan. 21: Barnstable's positive test rate was 8.09 percent, and new daily cases were over 64 per 100,000.

Barnstable is now listed as a yellow moderate-risk community on the state map.

The positive test rate over the last two weeks fell in 249 — or 70.9 percent — of the 351 communities in the state. The rate rose in 52 — or 14.8 percent — of communities and held steady in the remaining 50. Two-week confirmed case counts rose in just 46 communities.

Statewide, there were 1,928 new cases and 33 deaths from the coronavirus reported.