Braintree Coronavirus Positive Test Rate Continues To Fall

BRAINTREE, MA — For a second straight week, Braintree's positive test rate continued to fall in the latest state town-by-town coronavirus report Thursday.

The town was still designated high risk, or red, but the numbers headed in the right direction. Braintree's positive test rate over the last two weeks was 5.52 percent, below the 6.66 percent from last week.

The town had 292 cases in that period, down from 377 last week.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: High-Risk List Falls Sharply

Dozens of cities and towns fell out of the high-risk category Thursday, as more than three-quarters of communities reported falling test rates.

The state expanded vaccine eligibility to all people over 75 Monday, although Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he was "unhappy" with the rollout, as accessibility was a challenge for many eligible residents.

Restrictions on businesses will be loosened Monday following the dramatic recent decline in virus cases. Many businesses will be allowed to operate at 40 percent capacity, up from 25 percent. But there's a worry that the capacity increase won't help smaller restaurants much.

There were 2,602 new confirmed cases and 74 deaths statewide Thursday.