Norton Drops Status As Coronavirus Red Zone

NORTON, MA — Norton is no longer at high-risk of COVID-19 transmission due to a decrease in positive cases in the town over the last two weeks, according to Thursday's statistics from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The town had been labeled as a coronavirus "red zone" since Dec. 10, meaning that it was at the highest risk of transmission and reported at least 10 average daily cases per 10,000 residents and a 5% positivity rate for nearly two months.

As of Thursday, there have been 1,130 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Norton, with 132 reported in the last two weeks.

Norton currently has an average daily incidence rate of 47.4 and a positivity rate of 2.92%, a significant decrease from last week's average daily incidence rate of 52 and 5.58% positivity rate.

Norton's improved COVID-19 statistics come during a statewide decrease in high-risk communities. The state health department reported Thursday that there are currently 110 COVID-19 "red zones" in Massachusetts, down 153 from last week.