Covid Cases Continue Upward Trend

Communities in Bristol County continue to see increased cases of Covid-19, according to data from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. For the 14 day testing period which ended on December 4, Rehoboth reported an average daily incidence rate of 54.5 per 100,000 residents. Seekonk’s average daily incidence rate was 30.6 per 100,000 residents. However, the two towns’ case numbers were much lower than Swansea (88.2 per 100,000), Dighton (80.2 per 100,000), and Fall River, which had 76.5 per 100,000 residents.

Seekonk reported a daily positivity rate of 8.16 percent. Rehoboth reported a daily positivity rate of 11.10 percent.

Swansea’s daily positivity rate was 12.40 percent. Dighton’s was 11.39 percent. Fall River’s was 9.38 percent.

There were 564 new cases reported in Bristol County. The percent positivity average statewide for the two week testing period was 4.46 percent.

Massachusetts will distribute more than 2 million free rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests in communities hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Charlie Baker announced Monday the free tests will be given out in 102 Massachusetts cities and towns that have the highest proportion of families living below the Federal Poverty Level.

Teams from the Massachusetts National Guard and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency will help deliver the 2.1 million iHealth rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits to towns starting Tuesday. Local officials will then determine the best strategy to distribute the tests to their residents, Baker explained.