'We Are Not Getting Any Worse': Foxboro Town Manager On COVID-19

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Massachusetts is still seeing over a 1,000 new coronavirus cases per day, but those numbers have been on a sharp decline over the last few weeks throughout much of the state, including in Foxborough.

Town Manager William Keegan updated the Board of Selectmen at its meeting on the state of COVID-19 in town. According to Keegan, the numbers in town have "dropped significantly."

As of last Tuesday, there were 37 active cases in town, a huge improvement from just a few weeks ago when Foxborough had almost 200 active cases. Keegan said none of the active cases had required hospitalization, and since the start of the pandemic, the town has seen two deaths,

"We are not getting any worse," Keegan said. "We are certainly on the better end of what's going on."

As of Thursday, Foxborough's positive test rate over the last two weeks was 3.49 percent, down from 3.8 the week prior, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Foxborough is also still in the moderate-risk, or yellow, category.

Foxborough had 63 cases over the last two weeks, or 24.7 average daily cases per 100,000 residents, versus 68 cases in last week's report. There have been 1,098 cases of the coronavirus in Foxborough.

And with the numbers continuing to drop and new reopening phases begun, Keegan said he's excited to see roller skating rinks, concert venues, laser tag facilities and more be able to open up at 50 percent capacity in town.

He also was optimistic the numbers will continue to improve as Phase 4 of the state's reopening plan beginning March 22. This will allow Gillette Stadium to open in a limited capacity as well as overnight camps in summer 2021.

"It's really good news to see a lot of venues are starting to open," Keegan said.