Burlington No Longer High Risk After Positive Test Rate Falls

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington fell out of the high-risk category in the latest state town-by-town coronavirus report Thursday.

The town was designated moderate risk, or yellow, in the latest Department of Public Health report, after two months in the red category.

The town's positive test rate over the last two weeks was 4.87 percent, just below the 5 percent threshold and down from 5.08 percent last week.

The town had 163 cases in that period, down from 179 last week. Those cases bring the town to 1,511 total cases.

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

Burlington was one of dozens of cities and towns that 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.

Burlington began vaccinating residents over 75 Wednesday, BCAT reported.

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.

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

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