North Andover Coronavirus Metrics Climb, But So Do Vaccines

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — Coronavirus numbers here are climbing again, an ominous sign that the town is still in the thick of a pandemic despite optimism about vaccinations, according to the latest town-by-town state report.

There were 103 confirmed cases in North Andover over the past two weeks, up from 81 in last week's report. There were 84 active cases as of Thursday, the most in over a month.

The positive test rate increased from 0.85 percent to 1.04 percent, while the average daily incidence rate per 100,000 went from 19.1 to 24.3.

There is some good news. Nearly one-third of the town's population has received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, with more than three-quarters of those 65 and older having been vaccinated at least once.

Over 5,000 North Andover residents — about 18 percent — have been fully vaccinated.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Positive Test Rate Above 2%

Massachusetts labeled 32 communities as high risk for the coronavirus Thursday in the latest town-by-town report from the Department of Public Health, up from 20 in the previous report.

The seven-day average positive test rate for the state rose to 2.22 percent, up from 1.93 percent a week prior.

The positive test rate over the last two weeks rose in more than half of the state's cities and towns.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.