COVID-19 Cases On The Rise Across North Shore

PEABODY, MA — Public Health nurses from several North Shore communities have set up two joint COVID-19 vaccination clinics over the next two weeks as cases continue to climb once again across the region.

Public nurses from Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott will host clinics on April 27 at the Marblehead Council on Aging and May 4 at the Peabody Council on Aging.

The clinics will feature Moderna shots and boosters.

Those eligible for a second booster shot include all those 50 years old or older and those who have a medical condition that makes them more susceptible to a severe outcome from a coronavirus infection.

While virus cases remain well below the omicron peaks of December and January, the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Massachusetts is up more than 33 percent week over week,
according to the latest state Department of Public Health data released Thursday.

The rise in hospitalizations came as COVID-19 cases increased in more than four out of every five cities and towns across the state.

The statewide seven-day positive test average was 4.3 percent as of Thursday. Most North Shore communities were listed as having "higher" numbers than in previous weeks.

Beverly reported 175 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 5.2 percent.

Danvers reported 79 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 3.3 percent.

Marblehead reported 95 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 6.24 percent.

Peabody reported 177 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 3.92 percent.

Salem reported 227 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 6.53 percent.

Swampscott reported 67 new cases over the past two weeks with a positive test rate of 6.22 percent.

The physicians of the Massachusetts Medical Society also said they "strongly recommend" that all individuals who are at high-risk for COVID-19 or who live with a person at increased risk continue to mask in all indoor public settings.

"We must respect and avoid stigmatizing anyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask to protect their health and the health of others," MMS President Carole Allen said in a statement on Thursday.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)