Easton Drops Status As Coronavirus Red Zone

EASTON, MA — Easton is no longer at high-risk of COVID-19 transmission due to a decrease in positive cases in the town over the last two weeks, according to Thursday's statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The town had been labeled as a coronavirus "red zone" since Dec. 17, meaning that it was at the highest risk of transmission and reported at least 10 average daily cases per 10,000 residents and a 5% positivity rate for nearly two months.

As of Thursday, there have been 1,540 confirmed COVID-19 case in Easton, with 246 reported in the last two weeks.

Easton currently has an average daily incidence rate of 74 and a positivity rate of 3.75%, a slight increase from last week's average daily incidence rate of 73.1 and a significant decrease from last week's positivity rate of 5.51%.

Easton's improved COVID-19 statistics come during a statewide decrease in high-risk communities. The state health department reported Thursday that there are currently 153 COVID-19 "red zones" in Massachusetts, down 39 from last week. The state also experienced a decrease in positivity rates in three-quarters of cities and towns, as well as a decrease in statewide case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths.