Coronavirus-Related Deaths Rise Above 100 In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA —The number of Waltham residents who have died after contracting the coronavirus rose above 100, as the community battles a surge in the number of people who are testing positive for the virus.

"What people can do is wear their mask," Waltham Health Department Director Michelle Feeley said, asking people to wash their hands, avoid touching their faces, distance themselves from people, 6ft or more and stay home if they aren't feeling well to help reduce the spread of the virus.

She also implored residents to answer the call if the COVID contract-tracing team or the nurses from the Waltham Health Department call, so they can figure out quickly who else may have it unwittingly and get them to stay home, too.

The number of Waltham residents who have tested positive for the virus rose to 3,277 people as of Jan. 4. On Dec. 31 that number was 3,112, according to state data.

Waltham's COVID-19 community level is currently designated as red, or higher risk, of the spread of the virus.

The average daily incidence rate per 100,000 people was 48.2 during the two-week period ending Dec. 29. And with 9,319 people tested during that period some 510 tested positive for the virus, bringing the percent positivity to 5.47 percent.

Health officials say positive coronavirus 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 restrictions. For a second consecutive week, over 200 towns had positive test rates at or above 5 percent over the last two weeks. The number reporting rates above 5 percent rose to 208.

"We want to slow and stop the spread of this virus. We want to get through this as quickly as we can," Feeley said. "Let's all work together and do our part to fight together. Think of yourself. Your loved ones, friends, and strangers."

Previously on Patch:

• Waltham Returns To Red: High Risk For COVID-19, As Cases ...
• Here's when Waltham Will Get The Coronavirus Vaccine - Patch
• Coronavirus-Related Deaths Rise Above 100 In Newton - Patch