Melrose's Positive Test Rate Nears 1 Percent As Numbers Climb

MELROSE, MA — The city's coronavirus numbers saw a significant increase in the last week as the highly contagious virus continues to spread across the state, but the city remains out of the high-risk category.

Melrose remained "yellow" in the latest coronavirus map released Thursday by the state. The city's total case count is at 364, meaning there were 14 cases since the previous week's update.

The positive test rate shot up from 0.61 to 0.88 percent. (An earlier version of this story said the rate had increased to 1 percent, but that appears to be due to a calculation error on the state map.)

There were 1,622 tests performed over the past week. Superintendent Julie Kukenberger has said a positive test rate of 2 percent could prompt a reevaluation of the district's hybrid in-person learning model.

The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 residents is at 5.7 percent, up from 4.4. A community will enter the red high-risk zone if that number gets past 8, and will get back to green if it drops below 4.

Mayor Paul Brodeur said in a video Thursday night people need to continue wearing masks and following social distancing guidelines. He implored people to stay vigilant against the virus, even as the Halloween season gets into full swing.

"We have sacrificed a great deal to manage this virus," Brodeur said. "Let’s continue to support each other and help each other meet this challenge. Keep it up, and together we will get through this."

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Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi and subscribe to Melrose Patch for free daily newsletters and local news alerts.