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COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average COVID-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average
Covid-19: Positive-Test-Rate Spikes - Twice As High As Summertime Average The daily COVID-19 positive test rate has shot up to 4 percent in Massachusetts - a stark change from the 2 percent - or under - rates that the state enjoyed for much of the summer. More than 4.8 million COVID-19 tests have been administered in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic. In the most recent weekly COVID-19 town-by-town state data, there were 40 communities listed as high-risk for the virus’ spread. The data was reported on Oct. 7. The week prior, there were 23 communities considered high-risk. The places where COVID-19 is spreading the fastest are in the Northeastern p…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection
Covid-19: Dozen Central/Western Mass Communities Are 'High-Risk' For Infection COVID-19 rates are spiking in new communities in Western and Central Massachusetts. According to the most recent state data, Wednesday, Oct. 7, there are about a dozen “high-risk” or “red” communities in the second half of Massachusetts. High-risk communities have 8 or more positive COVID-19 tests per 100,000 residents - a level that puts the town at high-risk for spreading the disease. The community with the highest rate of average daily COVID-19 infections is Sunderland, with 20.67 new infections per 100,000 residents. The community with the most total cases over the past two weeks is …

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by Kristin Palpini
News
Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident
Auto Shop Owner Dies In Excavating Accident Police have identified the man who died when an excavator he was operating rolled over and down a ravine on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Sten R. Brote, 66, of Sutton, died in the excavator accident on Leland Hill Road, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. He owned his own truck and auto repair service - B&P Auto Services on Millbury Street in Worcester - for nearly 40 years. Brote was an avid antique engine collector, his obituary said. He was a member of the Central Massachusetts Steam, Gas and Machinery Association, a past commander of the SONDS of the American Legion Post 414 i…

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by Kristin Palpini
Weather
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest
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…

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by Kristin Palpini
Business
Town-by-Town: 350 Employee COVID-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s Town-by-Town: 350 Employee COVID-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s
Town-by-Town: 350 Employee Covid-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s Massachusetts has received hundreds of employee complaints alleging their workplaces are not meeting state safety and compensation standards during COVID-19. In March, the Massachusetts Attorney General started tracking worker complaints related to COVID-19. As of Friday, Aug. 7, Massachusetts workers had filed about 350 complaints against employers. The most heavily represented industry on the list is hospitals/nursing homes - over 50 complaints. The most common complaint was the nonpayment of wages. Of the complaints, 38 said they were retaliated against for coming forward with a grievan…

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by Kristin Palpini
News
COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town-by-town Infection Rates And Trends - Worcester County COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town-by-town Infection Rates And Trends - Worcester County
Covid-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town-by-town Infection Rates And Trends - Worcester County Positive tests for COVID-19 continue to stay under 2 percent in Massachusetts. Massachusetts' seven-day positive test rate for COVID-19 has been below 2 percent since the beginning of July. On Friday, July 17, Gov. Charlie Baker said the positive rate for the past seven days is 1.7 percent. Meanwhile, in Worcester County, Worcester has the highest rate of positive COVID-19 tests countywide over the past 14 days (2.6 percent), followed by Clinton and West Borough. 14-day, COVID-19 Positive Test Rate Per CommunityKristin Palpini on Infogr.am The state economy is now in Phase 3 of a four-…

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by Kristin Palpini
Traffic
Rollover Closes Section of I-395 Northbound Rollover Closes Section of I-395 Northbound
Rollover Closes Section of I-395 Northbound A portion of I-395, northbound, near Exit 3 in Webster has been closed early this morning, July 16.  State Police report a rollover accident is the cause of the traffic snarls. The area is predicted to reopen around 10 a.m., according to the Massachusetts State Police live traffic map.  As of 9 a.m., highway traffic was slowed to a crawl by Exit 3 and on the nearby Cudworth Road. Check back for updates to this unfolding story.

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by Kristin Palpini