Covid-19: 9 New Central, Western Mass Communities Turn 'Red' - Local Data
Nine more Central and Western Massachusetts communities have been added to the state’s COVID-19 “red” list as infection rates climb across the state and nation.
This week, Nov. 27, there are 31 Central and Western Massachusetts communities in the red - meaning that they are at the highest risk to spread the virus.
Last week, Nov. 19, there were 21.
The week before that, Nov. 12, there were 9.
This week, the Massachusetts average daily COVID-19 rate per 100,000 people was 34.9.
Newly added to the red list are Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Leicester, Millbury, Monson, Paxton, Rutland, Sutt…
Covid-19: 'Red' Communities More Than Double In Central, Western Mass - Local Rates And Trends
The number of COVID-19 “red” communities has more than doubled in Central and Western Massachusetts since last week, according to the most recent state data, Thursday, Nov. 19.
Last week there were 9 Central and Western Massachusetts communities in the red.
Now there are 21: Blackstone, Chicopee, Clinton, Douglas, Fitchburg Hampden, Holyoke, Lancaster, Leominster, Ludlow, Lunenburg, Milford, Northbridge, Southbridge, Southwick, Springfield, Sterling, Templeton, Uxbridge, West Springfield, Winchendon.
To see local rates and trends, scroll to the end of the article.
Among the red communitie…
Covid-19: Number Of Red Communities Triples In Central, Western Massachusetts
The number of COVID-19 “red” communities has tripled in Central and Western Massachusetts since last week, according to the most recent state data, Thursday, Nov. 12.
Last week, Nov. 6, there were 3 - Fitchburg, Ludlow, and Springfield.
Now there are 9 - Chicopee, Clinton, Fitchburg, Holyoke, Leominster, Milford, Springfield, Uxbridge, and West Springfield.
In a bit of good news, the COVID-19 rate in Ludlow dropped low enough to get the city removed from the red list.
However, the rates in Fitchburg and Springfield went up.
Massachusetts has changed the system for local COVID-19 rates…
Covid-19: Town-By-Town Rates And Trends For Worcester County
A little more than one-third of Massachusetts cities and towns are “red” and considered high-risk for the transmission of COVID-19.
Of the 122 red Massachusetts communities, 18 are in Worcester County: Athol, Auburn, Bolton, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Hubbardston, Leicester, Leominster, Mendon, Milford, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Webster, West Boylston, Westborough, and Worcester.
As of Thursday, Oct. 29, there are now 122 red municipalities reporting high numbers of new COVID-19 cases every day for the past 28 days. The “red” refers to the color-coded system Massachusetts i…
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest
The downpour that soaked the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29-30, deposited 1.5-2 inches of rain, but still, much of southern Massachusetts is experiencing extreme drought.
According to state data released Thursday, Oct.1, nearly 30 percent of the state is experiencing “extreme” drought - the second highest degree of drought tracked by the state. The worst degree of drought is “exceptional.”
The ranking goes, from least to most drought-like conditions, are None, Abnormallly Dry, Moderate Drought, Severe Drought, Extreme Drought, and Exceptional Drought.
In…
Undercover Officer Busted Child Pornographer; Many Victims Under 12
A Fitchburg man has admitted to making and distributing child pornography with numerous victims younger than 12 years old.
He was caught due to an undercover officer.
Ryan Decarolis, 27, of Fitchburg, pleaded guilty on Monday, Sept. 21, in U.S. District Court, to five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts.
Decarolis was busted by an undercover officer, according to court documents. In 2019, law enforcement agents had taken over the s…