More communities rollback to Step 1 of Phase 3 after three consecutive weeks in ‘red zone’; Fitchburg clusters grow

After spending three consecutive weeks in the high-risk “red zone” for COVID-19, 15 communities are being forced to revert to Step 1 of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan.

Abington, Berkley, Canton, East Longmeadow, Fairhaven, Fall River, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Marshfield, Milford, Pembroke, Rockland, Wakefield and Weymouth have all had incidence rates of at least eight cases per 100,000 people for three straight weeks, landing them in the high-risk category of the state’s weekly community risk map.

Many businesses in these cities and towns must now adjust or shut down completely. Indoor performance venues, roller skating rinks, indoor obstacle courses, trampoline parks and laser tag must now close. Gyms, museums, libraries and some other businesses must now reduce capacity from 50% to 40%.

Outdoor gatherings are also now limited to 50 people in these communities. Cities and towns in Step 2 of Phase 3 can have outdoor gatherings with up to 100 people.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 outbreaks in Fitchburg continue to grow.

Last week, Boston 25 News reported on an outbreak at a Fitchburg church. At the time, 35 cases were tied to Crossroads Church on Ashby State Road, but now, the number has grown to nearly 150.

Fitchburg’s Director of Public Health Stephen Curry also reported more than 40 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to ice and deck hockey in the city.

In a press release, Curry wrote the health department is concerned many of the infected people are asymptomatic, and could be spreading the virus unknowingly.

In an effort to contain cases, the city’s health department is collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Fallon Ambulance Service to host a free mobile COVID-19 test site on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Testing will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Coggshall Park Stonehouse, Eastern Avenue (165 Electric Ave. entrance to the park) near the Knights of Columbus.

Curry said the site is intended to target Crossroads Church attendees as well as hockey players and staff, but it is open to the public.

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