State Data: Woburn A Local Coronavirus Hotspot Over Last 2 Weeks

WOBURN, MA —Massachusetts been praised in recent weeks for its effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus, but there are still some municipalities where positive test rates remain high or have ticked back up — including Woburn.

For the first time Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the positive test rate for the previous two weeks for every town and city in the state, a key indicator of when it's safe to ease up on social distancing measures.

The statewide positive test rate during that time frame was 2.25 percent. But some Massachusetts cities and towns were significantly higher, with cities like Chelsea and Lawrence reporting positive test rates over 7 percent.

Woburn reported a 4.29 percent positive test rate.

>>Some Massachusetts Towns Are Still Coronavirus Hot Spots

The New York Times reported last month positive test results need to stay below 5 percent for two weeks or longer and, preferably, be closer to 2 percent, for states to safely ease up social distancing restrictions. Woburn clears the first bar, but is far from the 2 percent level.

Woburn reported 11 new positives, Tuesday, the largest daily increase since May 10. As of Wednesday, 241 residents have active cases, of 627 cumulative cases. Twenty-eight residents have died.

Ninety-six residents are in quarantine for potential exposure.

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