Lynn, Lynnfield, Peabody, Revere, Saugus, and Swampscott are in the red for another week, indicating communities that are at the highest risk for COVID-19 spread.
Lynn, Lynnfield, Revere, and Saugus all have triple-digit daily incidence rates, in terms of how many cases those communities are averaging per 100,000 residents each day.
And Lynn, with an infection rate of 13.92 percent, has the fourth-highest positive test rate in the state over the past 14 days, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Lynn reported 154 new cases Thursday, a day after matching its single-day high for cases over a 24-hour period — the city reported 196 new cases Wednesday.
The city’s caseload climbed to 11,476 on Thursday and an additional death was reported to bring the death toll in Lynn to 157. A total of 1,986 cases are active and 9,333 people have recovered from the virus, according to city data.
While cases have continued to surge in Lynn, the city’s daily incidence rate declined over last week, from 124.5 to 101.7 new cases per 100,000 residents over the past 14 days, according to the DPH.
However, the positive test rate in Lynn increased from 13.1 percent to 13.92 percent this week, according to the DPH.
Lynn City Hall will remain closed to the public and will continue providing services remotely to residents until Jan. 19, according to Mayor Thomas M. McGee’s office.
There will be no in-person access to City Hall during that time period and staff will continue to work remotely so city services can continue, according to McGee’s office.
The Lynn Public Library, another city building, announced Thursday that it will be closed and curbside services will be suspended until Tuesday, Jan. 20, as advised by the city of Lynn. All due dates have been extended until Friday, Jan. 22, according to a notice from the library.
“It’s because of the holiday increase we’ve seen so far, as what looks to be another post-holiday surge, and the anticipation of a continued increase in cases,” said Michael Cole, a spokesman for McGee, noting that the decision to keep city buildings closed was made in consultation with the Lynn Department of Public Health.
Revere, another COVID hot spot, reported 109 new cases on Thursday to bring the city’s numbers to 6,928 cases and 121 deaths, according to the city website.
Like Lynn, the daily incidence rate in Revere decreased this week, but the city saw a slight increase in its positive test rate. The daily incidence rate decreased from 135.1 to 110.9 new cases per day this week, while its positive test rate increased from 12.23 percent to 12.29 percent, according to the DPH.
Peabody (4,050 cases, 230 deaths) has not updated its numbers since Wednesday. The city’s daily incidence rate is 88.6 new cases per 100,000 residents and its positive test rate is 8.65 percent over the past 14 days, according to city and DPH data.
Saugus (2,318 cases, 48 deaths) reported no change in its case or death numbers on Thursday. The town’s daily incidence rate and positive test rate, 104.6 new cases and 10.51 percent respectively, both decreased this week, according to the DPH.
Lynnfield reported 19 new cases and an additional death on Thursday to bring the town’s total numbers to 692 cases and 20 deaths. At 101 new cases per 100,000 residents and 7.76 percent, the town’s respective daily incidence and positive test rates both declined this week, according to town and DPH data.
Swampscott (598 cases, 11 deaths) has reported 48 new cases since Monday, and remains in the red this week with a daily incidence rate of 69.2 new cases and a positive test rate of 5.19 percent over the past 14 days, according to the DPH.
Marblehead (698 cases, 31 deaths) has reported 45 new cases since Monday, and Nahant (133 cases, six deaths) reported no change in its numbers on Thursday.
