Peabody Coronavirus Numbers On 'Disappointing' Rise

PEABODY, MA — A week after Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt called the city's rise in coronavirus numbers "disappointing news" that he said was linked to social gatherings not adhering to virus-related protocols, the numbers surged again this week in the state's latest report.

Peabody reported 6.4 cases per 100,000 residents — up front 5.51 last week. That keeps Peabody as a yellow "caution" community in the state's reopening designation. Communities with cases of 8.0 or higher for three straight weeks must take a step back in the state's reopening process that recently allowed for the reopening of trampoline parks, laser tag and other recreational activities, as well as increased capacities for restaurant table sizes, stores and public gatherings.

The test-positive rate was up to 1.59 percent after being 1.43 percent last week.

"Many of Peabody's cases in the past few weeks seem to be associated with gatherings and other social events," Betterncourt said after last week's rise. "It's important to remember to wear masks and maintain distance even when you are socializing with friends and family if they don't live in your household."

The numbers also followed a troubling trend statewide as 63 communities were designed "red" high-risk in the new town-by-town data — 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 Peabody Patch Coverage: MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: 63 High-Risk Communities

'Yellow' Designation Means Caution In Peabody's Coronavirus Fight