New Metrics Take Wakefield Out Of High-Risk Category

WAKEFIELD, MA — Wakefield was designated a "green" community by the state Friday after weeks in the "red" category.

The town's case count and positive rate both dropped, and the state used new metrics for designating risk levels in the latest town-by-town release. Over 100 cities and towns fell out of the high-risk zone due to the change.

Communities can move into the next phase of reopening if they spend three consecutive weeks outside the high-risk category.

>>MA Town-By-Town Coronavirus Stats: Statewide Test Rate Hits 2%

Wakefield reported 34 cases over two weeks, down from 58 the previous week, and a positive test rate of 1.58 percent, down from 2.89. The city has had 470 confirmed cases since March.

Wakefield previously had to revert to Phase 3 Step 1 after being designated a high-risk community for three consecutive weeks. It will still need to remain outside the "red" for two more weeks before it can progress to Step 2, Public Health Director Ruth Clay said.