Beverly Coronavirus Numbers Surge Despite Precautions

BEVERLY, MA — Although Beverly remains considered a "safe" community when it comes to the rate of coronavirus spread, the city 's numbers surged higher this week in a key metric the state used to make that determination.

Beverly's cases per 100,000 residents was 3.3 in the state's weekly report released on Wednesday — up from 1.56 cases last week.

The city reported 19 new cases over the past two weeks — up from the nine new cases reported last week.

The rise comes despite the city taking steps to help mitigate new cases. The Beverly Board of Health decided to keep the city in step one of phase 3 in the state's reopening — maintaining limits on restaurant table party size, public gatherings and other restrictions.

The numbers also followed a troubling trend statewide as 63 communities were designed "red" high-risk in the new town-by-town date — up from 40 the week before. The state as a whole also passed the threshold of eight cases per 100,000 residents, while the statewide test-positive rate is
1.2 percent.

The positive test rate over the last two weeks increased in 168 — or 47.9 percent — of the 351 communities in the state. The rate fell in 80 —or 22.8 percent — communities and held steady in the remaining 103.

Related Beverly Patch Coverage: Beverly Coronavirus Numbers Remain Low Amid City's Cautious Route

MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: 63 High-Risk Communities