Chelsea, Brockton post high positive coronavirus test rates as Massachusetts releases nursing home death data

Massachusetts cities with some of the highest coronavirus infection rates are posting positive test rates far higher than the state’s average even as their numbers of new cases continue to trend down.

Along with its weekly case and infection rate data, the state Department of Public Health released the number of people tested for COVID-19 in each city and town as well as their percent positive rates for the first time Wednesday.

Chelsea continued to post the highest infection rate of 7,203 per 100,000 residents, with 2,713 cases. According to the data, the city has tested 6,742 people for a positive rate of 40.2%. The state’s seven-day weighted average positive test rate was 8.5% Tuesday.

The municipal data is cumulative since January. Chelsea City Manager Thomas Ambrosino said the number of new cases in his city has been declining for the past couple of weeks.

“It’s a real relief,” Ambrosino said. But, he added, “This pandemic is not over, the virus hasn’t disappeared. Even in a city like Chelsea that has a very high infection rate, there are a lot of people who have not been infected, so we have a long way to go.”

Brockton again had the second highest infection rate of 4,032. The city had 3,961 cases and 13,555 tests, for a positive rate of 29.2%. But Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan said the number of current infections in his city continues to trend down.

“Hopefully we’re through the thick of things in terms of a high point,” Sullivan said, urging residents to keep wearing masks and social distancing.

Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera said he’s yet to see the declines shown in Chelsea and Brockton. Lawrence reported the third-highest infection rate of 3,333, with 2,939 cases and 10,172 tests for a positive rate of 28.9%.

“In a large way we’re still fighting the virus,” Rivera said.

Lynn was next with an infection rate of 3,252. The city had 3,281 cases and 10,491 tests for a positive rate of 31.3%. Everett followed with an infection rate of 3,224, with 1,565 cases and 5,122 tests for a positive rate of 30.6%. Boston’s infection rate was 1,879, with 13,061 cases and 56,074 tests for a positive rate of 23.3%.

The state also reported the number of deaths in each nursing home — a major contributor to community infection rates — for the first time. Among the highest were 66 at the Julian J. Leavitt Family Nursing Home in Longmeadow, 60 at Courtyard Nursing Care Center in Medford, 55 at Belmont Manor Nursing Home and 52 at the Katzman Family Center For Living in Chelsea.

Of the 360 facilities required to submit data, all but 10 achieved the baseline 90% testing requirement for residents and staff from April 8 to May 25. But only 228 were found to be following the state’s 28-point infection control checklist.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36AgR4t