New Metrics Take North Andover Out Of High-Risk Category

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover was designated a moderate-risk community by the state Friday, after weeks in the high-risk category.

The town's case count and positive rate both rose, but the state used new metrics for designating risk levels in the latest town-by-town release. Over 100 cities and towns fell out of the high-risk zone due to the change.

North Andover officials had predicted that the town would remain high-risk.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Statewide Test Rate Hits 2%

Communities can move into the next phase of reopening if they spend three consecutive weeks outside of the high-risk category.

North Andover reported 96 cases over the last two weeks, up from 40 last week, and a positive test rate of 1.03 percent, up from 0.74. Since March, the town has had 721 confirmed cases.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.