MA's High-Risk Communities Plummet In Big Improvement: Patch PM

It's Thursday, Feb. 18. Here's what you should know this afternoon:

• Last week 110 cities and towns were labeled high risk for the coronavirus. This week that number plummeted to 66, the latest in a dramatic decline in COVID-19 metrics here.
• Gov. Charlie Baker is mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore. That’s the vibe he was giving after the state’s latest coronavirus vaccination failure the morning 1 million more people became eligible for the shot.
• Baseball in Worcester isn’t just a dream anymore. The Worcester Red Sox will begin the inaugural 2021 season at Polar Park in just over eight weeks, the team announced.

Scroll down for those and other stories Patch has been covering in Massachusetts today.

Thursday’s Top Story

The number of cities and towns designated high risk for the coronavirus plummeted in Thursday's town-by-town state data report, the latest in the dramatic decline of the virus over the last month. The report labeled 66 Massachusetts communities at high risk for the virus, more than 40 fewer than last week.

The seven-day average positive test rate for the state fell to 2.13 percent, the lowest level since early Nov. Statewide case counts, hospitalizations and deaths also all fell over the last week.

There were 1,803 new confirmed cases and 61 deaths Thursday.

The seven-day average of hospitalized patients was 1,141, down from 1,419 a week prior. There were 271 patients in intensive care.

Last week the town-by-town report labeled 110 communities at high risk for the virus. This week there were only 66 such communities; You can see the full list here.

Today’s Other Top Stories In Massachusetts

He’s ‘pissed off’: And he’s not alone. Gov. Charlie Baker is promising fixes after the state’s coronavirus vaccination appointment website crashed this morning, right as it was supposed to open up to 1 million more newly eligible residents. Meanwhile, state lawmakers “expect answers” after the latest pothole in a rollout full of them. And we haven’t even gotten to the actual people trying to use the system.

‘Today, the world shall know his name’: The social media movement that made GameStop enthusiast Keith Gill of Wilmington a beloved icon continued to rally behind the YouTube personality known as “Roaring Kitty” as he testified to Congress on Thursday about his role in last month's stock market frenzy. The 34-year-old Gill became the most visible face of the GameStop rally largely because of his videos, where he wears a red headband and colorful, cat-themed T-shirts while talking about the stock from his basement.

Woo! They’re ready to play: The Worcester Red Sox will begin the inaugural 2021 season at Polar Park in just over eight weeks, the team announced Thursday. The team's home opener will be on April 13 against the Philadelphia Phillies' Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The first game of the season will be on April 6 when the team heads to central Pennsylvania to face off against the Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Officer placed on leave: An Arlington police officer has been placed on administrative leave while the department investigates the detainment of a civilian during a drug arrest Feb. 10. A Somerville man voiced concern over his treatment on social media. Police Chief Juliann Flaherty said the man was detained while officers pursued a wanted felon who had fled from a Massachusetts Avenue hotel.

By the numbers

$6 million: That’s how much a Salem State alumna and her husband donated to the school, the largest cash gift ever made to one of the nine state universities.