Salem Mask Zones, Testing Extended As Coronavirus Rates Improve

SALEM, MA — Mandatory mask zones and free coronavirus testing have been extended in Salem as the city continues to make progress in lowering infection rates.

The city's two-week rolling average test-positive rate fell to 1.0 percent — just off the state's average of 0.9 percent. The city also had 4.0 positive cases per 100,000 people — which is less than the state average of 4.6 and puts Salem on the cusp of moving from a "yellow" caution community to a "green" safe community in the state's interactive coronavirus map.

Salem was a "red" hot spot community as of one month ago. The positive rate when Salem was designed a "red" community on Aug. 16 was 3.87 percent.

Salem's 14-day rolling test-positive rate as of last week was 1.2 percent and its rate of cases per 100,000 residents was 5.2.

Amid the improving numbers, Salem has extended its mandatory mask zone in downtown areas to include Derby Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to Blaney Street.

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