COVID

13 Mass. communities have the highest risk of COVID-19 this week

Here's a look at each of the communities in the red zone this week.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe staff

May 6, 2021

The number of Massachusetts communities with the highest risk of COVID-19 transmission was cut in half this week, to 13 from 26 last week.

This continues an ongoing downward trend of communities in the red zone. Two weeks ago, there were 48 cities and towns that made the list.

A color-coded map showing the risk for COVID-19 in each Mass. community.

A community receives a red-zone designation based on a few factors. Small communities with under 10,000 residents are placed in the red zone if they have more than 25 cases total over the last two weeks, according to the state. For communities between 10,000 and 50,000 people, a red-zone designation is given if the community has 10 or more average daily cases per 100,000 residents and if the positivity rate is greater than or equal to 5 percent. For communities over 50,000, they need a daily average of 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents and a positivity rate of 4 percent or higher.

Here’s a look at each of the red zone cities and towns, listed alphabetically: