Melrose Coronavirus Numbers Heading In Wrong Direction

MELROSE, MA — Ten percent of the city's total coronavirus cases have come in the past week as Melrose struggles to contain the spread of the virus that is running rampant across the rest of the state and country.

Melrose has 440 confirmed coronavirus cases according to the state's weekly report, with 43 of them coming since the previous week's update.

The city went from green to yellow in the state's risk assessment. It would have been red had the state not overhauled the ranking system last week.

Melrose's average daily incidence rate shot to 12.8, up from 6.9 last week. The positive test rate rose from 1.25 to 1.84 percent.

Mayor Paul Brodeur pleaded with residents to follow coronavirus guidelines.

"Because people may be asymptomatic, best practices include wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance, practicing good hygiene regardless of how you feel, and staying home if you have any symptoms," he said in a video Thursday night. "Also critically important is contact tracing: answering the call when it comes and being completely candid with the caller. This helps control the spread before it gets through the front door of the school, the workplace, and other public places. It helps protect the entire community. Please comply with these simple public health measures."