North Andover Positive Test Rate Continues To Fall

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's positive test rate continued to fall in the latest state town-by-town coronavirus report Thursday.

The town was designated moderate risk, or yellow, for a second week in a row in the latest Department of Public Health report, after months in the red category.

The town's positive test rate over the last two weeks was 2.9 percent, significantly below the 5 percent high-risk threshold and down from 4.7 percent last week.

The town had 195 cases in that period, down from 235 last week.

North Andover reported 125 active cases, as of Thursday, bringing it to 2,135 total. Eighty-one residents have died.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: High-Risk List Falls Sharply

Dozens of cities and towns fell out of the high-risk category Thursday, as more than three-quarters of communities reported falling test rates.

The state expanded vaccine eligibility to all people over 75 Monday, although Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he was "unhappy" with the rollout, as accessibility was a challenge for many eligible residents.

Restrictions on businesses will be loosened Monday following the dramatic recent decline in virus cases. Many businesses will be allowed to operate at 40 percent capacity, up from 25 percent.

There were 2,602 new confirmed cases and 74 deaths statewide Thursday.

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