Stubborn Peabody Coronavirus Rates Slow To Decline

PEABODY, MA — As the state moves toward dramatic easing of coronavirus-related restrictions, Peabody's infection rate remains stubbornly high, according to state metrics.

Peabody was listed as one of 28 cities or towns still considered at "high risk" for community spread of the virus in the latest weekly state report. That number is down from 66 last week and 106 two weeks ago.

Despite still being listed as a "red" high-risk community, businesses in Peabody will be able to proceed in the state's "next normal" reopening on Monday, which includes live indoor music, 50 percent capacity at stores and offices, and no capacity limits at restaurants, where social distancing mandates that result in fewer seats still apply.

Peabody's positive test rate was 4.66 over the past 14 days, which is virtually unchanged from the 4.69 rate reported last week. The cases per 100,000 residents this week was 34.1, down slightly from 35.5 last week.

The statewide seven-day rolling average positive test rate as of Thursday was 1.85 percent — down from 8.6 percent in early January.

There were 315 new cases of coronavirus reported over the past two weeks in the city.

"The message is that people need to continue all the precautions they are so used to, and not let down their guard now that the vaccine is within sight," Peabody Director of Health and Human Services Sharon Cameron told Patch. "Even after vaccination, until more is known about the efficacy of the vaccines in preventing transmission, it will be important for people to continue social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene and staying home when they are sick.

"Social gatherings continue to play a significant role in contributing to cases in Peabody, as well as sports-related exposures and household exposures."

While limits in public gatherings are being eased to 100 indoors and 150 outdoors, limits at private residences remain 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. The 90-minute limit and six-per-table limit at restaurants remain in effect as well.

Cameron said one factor in the slow decline in the city's positive test rate may be "a significant decline in community participation in our testing events." She said between 500 and 800 residents were tested in community events around the holidays, while less than 150 residents participated in the last two events.

The latest state report shows that 6,753 city residents were reported tested this week, down from 10,267 residents reported the week of Jan. 23. Cameron said that decline has been steady over the past six weeks.

"It may be that people are starting to get tested only if they have symptoms or a known exposure, as opposed to broader surveillance testing," Cameron said.

The city held a virtual vaccination forum on Wednesday designed to give residents information on how vaccines work, their effectiveness and to encourage residents to get vaccinated when they are eligible.

That forum can be found here:

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(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.)