Chelmsford Dubbed High Risk For Coronavirus 3rd Week In A Row

CHELMSFORD, MA —Chelmsford was designated high risk for the coronavirus by the state for the third two-week period in a row Thursday, with its positive test rate rising above 6 percent.

The town added 239 coronavirus cases during the past two weeks and had a positive test rate of 6.72 percent, above the 5 percent threshold to be designated high risk, according to state data. Last week Chelmsford's percent positivity was 5.62 percent.

The new cases bring the town to 1,202 since the virus arrived in Massachusetts in the spring. During the past two weeks ending on Dec. 8 there were 47.46 average daily cases per 100,000 residents over that same two-week period, with 260 positive tests among 3,868 tests taken.

"All citizens should stay at home as much as possible, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, clean commonly touched areas often with disinfectant, and abide by all Executive Orders of the Governor," the town said in a statement.

>> MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Rates Rise In 82% Of Towns

Chelmsford is among 157 other Massachusetts communities on the high-risk list Thursday, up from 97 a week ago. More than 80 percent of cities and towns reported rising positive test rates and nearly half had positive rates above 5 percent.

Statewide, there were 50 average daily cases per 100,000 residents.

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