Framingham’s known daily Covid-19 cases have risen substantially in the past week, hitting an average of 23.1 per 100,000 in the most recent 14-day period, according to weekly data released today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
And while number of tests also rose, testing increased by just 6%. Cases per capita, meanwhile, rose 49% in the same period.
Test positivity rates jumped from 2.42% last week to 3.24% this week.
Under the Baker administration’s revised color-coding scales, Framingham remains in the new yellow zone despite the 23.1 per 100K case count. That’s almost triple the level needed (8.0) under the previous scale. However, under the new rating policy, a city of 50,000+ must have a positivity of at least 4% as well as 10 or more new cases per 100K to hit the red zone.
This is state-wide map under the new color scale:
And this what the map would look like if the Baker administration hadn’t changed the ratings:
MWRA wastewater tests
Tests for Covid-19 virus traces in MWRA wastewater, considered a possible leading indicator for future infections, have also been rising. Below is a graph of available sample results. Framingham is in the South region, along with about 20 other communities including Ashland, Natick, Wellesley, and portions of Newton, Brookline, and Boston.
You can click on the legend below to turn one of the line series off and on. You can also click and drag on an area of the graph to zoom in.
Said WBZ’s Eric Fisher on Twitter:
The proof is in the 💩. Not in a great spot right now. This has worked out perfectly as a predictor all year. pic.twitter.com/ynOy3fPml8
— Eric Fisher (@ericfisher) November 12, 2020
See latest Covid-19 coverage at http://www.district2framingham.com/tags/covid19/.
Sign up for the District2Framingham.com email list!!