Stoughton Remains A Coronavirus Hotspot

STOUGHTON, MA —Stoughton had a positive coronavirus test rate of 3.26 percent for the two weeks ended July 8, a level that is above the state average of 2.25 percent and the level where health officials say it's safe to ease up on social distancing measures.

During the two-week period, 386 Stoughton residents were tested for COVID-19. There were seven new confirmed cases for the week ended Wednesday, and eight new confirmed cases for the week ended July 1, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Wednesday was the first time DPH released the positive test rate for the previous two weeks for every town and city in the state, a key indicator of when it's safe to ease up on social distancing measures.

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The New York Times reported last month positive test results need to stay below 5 percent for two weeks or longer and, preferably, be closer to 2 percent, for states to safely ease up social distancing restrictions.