COVID-19 cases in Abington have again spiked in recent days, reflecting a statewide trend of higher infection rates, particularly among younger individuals.
The state Department of Public Health Thursday declared Abington one of 55 “red” communities, meaning the town is now considered a community at high risk for COVID-19 spread.
According to state statistics, 91 Abington residents have tested positive for the virus in the past 14 days; that figure is up from 40 two weeks ago.
The town’s positive test rate currently stands over 6 percent, which exceeds the state average of 2.36 percent. Two weeks ago Abington’s positive test rate was 2.72 percent.
Town public health officials have not pinpointed any single cause behind the recent spike, aside from general fatigue over social distancing and safety rules, and the increased presence of more contagious variants.
There is also some evidence that people are not being as responsible as they should.
“Positive cases not quarantining seems to be a big part of it,” said Board of Health Chairman Chris Schultz.
This would echo problems springing up in other areas of the state. The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health put out a statement Thursday that reads in part: “We are seeing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases again. We are also getting reports that people are going to work sick, breaking quarantine…”
DPH reported 2,455 new cases statewide on Thursday, More than 60 percent of all cases over the past 14 days have involved people under the age of 40, and about 26 percent of cases involve those under the age of 20.
With those testing positive on the younger, healthier side, an increased number of people becoming vaccinated, and hospitalization rates regaining steady, there appears to be no plans to roll back the state’s ongoing reopening.
Abington students will still return to in person learning fulltime starting on Monday.
As of Thursday, 2.2 million Bay Staters have received at lest one vaccination dose, and 1.3 million are fully vaccinated.