Framingham To Get State Coronavirus Help As Cases Rise

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The state will deploy "community outreach teams" in Framingham amid a troubling rise in cases, Gov. Charlie Baker and city officials announced Wednesday.

The outreach teams will fan out in different parts of the city to provide distribute materials on how to prevent the spread of the virus. Framingham is the sixth community in the state to get state help along with Chelsea, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn and Revere.

On Wednesday, Framingham reported 32 new cases since last Friday, plus three new deaths. Framingham did not report cases on Monday due to the Labor Day holiday.

Framingham was initially left off the list when Baker announced the new outreach effort on Sept. 2, and some feared the city had been snubbed by the state. The City Council grilled chief operating officer Thatcher Kezer about the issue during last week's meeting. Councilors questioned Kezer about whether the mayor had been unable to meet with Baker, although he could not provide a firm answer.

A city press release said Wednesday the state help was "discussed collaboratively on a call late last week."

Several weeks ago, Framingham was upgraded to one of the few "high risk" communities in the state for coronavirus. The city also has three coronavirus testing sites through the state's Stop the Spread program.