Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Massachusetts
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April 22, 2021
Jwgetchell // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Massachusetts
The United States by April 21 had reached 569,404 deaths due to COVID-19 and more than 31.9 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Amid the grim numbers come two bright spots: As of Feb. 2, more Americans had been vaccinated for COVID-19 than had been infected; and since then, rolling averages for case counts and deaths have been on the decline.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Massachusetts using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100k residents from 4/13/2021 to 4/19/2021. Ties are broken by total new cases.
As has been true throughout America’s COVID-19 history, every state—and even every county—has its own COVID-19 story, driven by local policies and behaviors. Keep reading to see where infection rates are highest in your home state.
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#14. Franklin County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 78 (55 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 53.0% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 3,398 (2,385 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 158 (111 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.1%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 53.0% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 3,398 (2,385 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.4 (1 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 158 (111 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.1%
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#13. Hampshire County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 85 (136 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 48.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 5,458 (8,778 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (5 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 180 (289 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 0.5%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 48.8% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 5,458 (8,778 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 3.1 (5 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 180 (289 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 0.5%
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#12. Norfolk County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 126 (894 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 24.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 7,446 (52,625 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (6 new deaths, -62% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (1,765 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 2.1%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 24.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 7,446 (52,625 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (6 new deaths, -62% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (1,765 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 2.1%
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#11. Berkshire County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 141 (176 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 15.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 4,865 (6,079 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 226 (282 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 15.1% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 4,865 (6,079 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.8 (1 new deaths, -50% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 226 (282 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.7%
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#10. Worcester County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 144 (1,192 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,889 (73,837 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.0 (8 new deaths, +14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (2,181 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 2.2%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,889 (73,837 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.0 (8 new deaths, +14% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (2,181 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 2.2%
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#9. Barnstable County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 144 (307 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 6,219 (13,245 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (4 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 215 (457 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.9%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 6,219 (13,245 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (4 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 215 (457 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.9%
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#8. Middlesex County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 145 (2,343 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 12.7% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,046 (129,684 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.6 (10 new deaths, -17% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 230 (3,699 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 12.7% less cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,046 (129,684 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.6 (10 new deaths, -17% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 230 (3,699 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.7%
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#7. Plymouth County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 168 (877 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 1.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,968 (46,742 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.6 (3 new deaths, -57% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 267 (1,394 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 1.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 8,968 (46,742 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.6 (3 new deaths, -57% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 267 (1,394 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.7%
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#6. Suffolk County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 176 (1,414 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 6.0% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,118 (89,379 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.7 (6 new deaths, +20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 225 (1,810 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.5%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 6.0% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,118 (89,379 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0.7 (6 new deaths, +20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 225 (1,810 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 1.5%
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#5. Essex County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (1,480 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,872 (93,678 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.0 (8 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (2,331 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.3%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 13.3% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,872 (93,678 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.0 (8 new deaths, -20% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (2,331 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 3.3%
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#4. Bristol County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 226 (1,277 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 36.1% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,207 (63,342 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (11 new deaths, +83% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (1,670 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.4%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 36.1% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,207 (63,342 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 1.9 (11 new deaths, +83% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (1,670 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.4%
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#3. Hampden County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 256 (1,196 new cases, -2% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 54.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,536 (49,135 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.6 (12 new deaths, +9% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (1,481 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.7%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 54.2% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 10,536 (49,135 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 2.6 (12 new deaths, +9% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (1,481 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 4.7%
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#2. Nantucket County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 333 (38 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 100.6% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,633 (1,440 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 35 (4 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.3%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 100.6% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,633 (1,440 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, -100% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: 35 (4 total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 6.3%
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#1. Dukes County
- New cases per 100k in the past week: 392 (68 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 136.1% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 6,814 (1,181 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: - (- total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.3%
--- Compared to average rate of new cases in Massachusetts: 136.1% more cases per 100k residents
- Cumulative cases per 100k: 6,814 (1,181 total cases)
- New deaths per 100k in the past week: 0 (0 new deaths, 0% change from previous week)
- Cumulative deaths per 100k: - (- total deaths)
- Test positivity rate: 7.3%
