Framingham Covid-19 testing positivity rose to 2.8% in the last 14 days, the highest since at least early July. Known new cases rose to 8.7 per 100,000, sending Framingham into the state’s “red” category.
Both data points were more than double the state-wide averages, according to data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Below is a graph of actual average daily cases in the last seven days (not per 100,000 people) updated Aug. 30:
The state average for testing positivity was 1.3%. Higher positivity means that more cases are likely being missed.
The state uses average daily reported cases over the most recent 14 days to categorize communities as grey (best), green, yellow, and red. Unfortunately, it does not include positivity rates as part of those calculations.
Framingham was in the yellow zone last week.
The Massachusetts Department of Education recommends that communities in the red zone have remote learning only in public schools; yellow, hybrid or remote; and green, in-person or hybrid.
State scale: Gray, less than 5 reported cases in the last 14 days; Green, less than 4 cases per 100,000 population; Yellow, 4-8 cases per 100,000 population; Red, more than 8 cases per 100,000 population.
Framingham public schools were planning to start with remote learning on Sept. 16. However, Framingham State University still plans on opening with students on campus next week using a mix of in-person and online classes.
Looking at a regional leading indicator, MWRA tests of wastewater for Covid-19 (traces of the virus can show up in sewage before people get tested), the South region ticked down again after an increase earlier this month. Framingham is in the South region, but is only a small portion of it since around 20 other cities and towns are in the region as well including Boston and Newton.
Updated Aug. 30
See latest Covid-19 coverage at http://www.district2framingham.com/tags/covid19/.
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