Framingham Sees Drop In Daily New Coronavirus Cases: State Data

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham is still adding new coronavirus cases at a high rate, but a key number dropped this week for the first time in months.

According to a weekly report released by the state Department of Public Health (DPH), Framingham was adding 69.4 new cases per day per 100,000 people as of Dec. 24. That number was at 80.6 on Dec. 17.

Framingham's positive test rate also dropped from 8.7 percent on Dec. 17 to 7.91 percent on Dec. 24, according to DPH.

Those two numbers — new daily cases and the positive test rate — are what the state uses to determine the coronavirus risk level in a particular community. Framingham would have to fall below 10 new cases per day per 100,000 and have a positive test rate below 4 percent to move to a lower-risk category.

Framingham Public Schools will also use those two numbers to determine if students can return under a hybrid model in January.

Here's how Framingham's daily case rate has changed over the last two months:

• Dec. 24 — 69.4
• Dec. 17 — 80.6
• Dec. 10 — 63.46
• Dec. 3 — 40.2
• Nov. 27 — 37.3
• Nov. 19 — 34.2
• Nov. 12 — 23.1
• Nov. 5 — 15.6

On Friday, Framingham reported 107 new cases in city residents and one new death, which is the sixth reported since Wednesday. There were 1,054 active cases as of Dec. 25.