By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
Since early December, North Attleborough has been designated a COVID-19 Red Zone by the Mass Department of Public Health, due to its sharp rise on cases.
But there are signs that things are moving in a positive direction. According the DPH’s weekly report of coronavirus cases, North Attleborough is a positivity rate of 6.95 percent, down from its previous high of 10 percent. Communities with a population of 10,000-50,000 fall into the DPH’s Red Zone if they have a case rate of 5 percent or higher.
“We will continue to watch and monitor the community as needed,” said Town Manager Michael Borg.
Town Hall and municipal offices were closed to the general public and only available for appointments as cases began to rise, and this will remain so for the time being. Early last week, Gov. Charlie Baker lifted his restrictions on businesses that required them to close at 9:30 p.m. as well as an advisory that the public not to be out after 10 p.m.
Health Department Director Anne Marie Fleming said that in December cases were increasing by 120-180 a week. This has dropped to 110 or 120, with many of the cases occurring in families. Fleming said an increase was expected as some families held large gatherings for the holidays.
“Public health expected the surge, that’s where you see the transmission rates go up,” said Fleming.
Fleming said the lack of any holidays that lead to large gatherings in the near future will help keep rates down, as will the increasing number of people being vaccinated.
