Thread by @DracutWatch

1/ With the #ukvariant taking over in MA, easing restrictions will backfire. Positive test rates are now rising for all age groups. #mapoli
@masslivenews @tracynovick @MarjorieDecker

2/ First column is 3/14-3/19, second column is 3/16-3/22. Previously, positivity for 70+ was declining, but it has just risen despite vaccination.

3/ Lowell case data: case count rose 26% in 1 week, with second week ending on 3/21.

4/ Larger towns with high positivity rate are spreading a new variant in SE Mass. Barnstable, Yarmouth and North Attleboro. Some towns have not yet shown up in DPH COVID Public Health Report. This uses March 23 5pm data.

5/ Belgium finally admits yesterday that new infections with #b117 are occurring mainly in school and at work
brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-a…

6/ helix.com analysis of SGTF samples for MA is showing B.1.1.7 well over 35% of all cases, as of a week ago. Surely it is over 40% of all cases now.

7/ Barnstable (Upper Cape Cod) school dashboard already shows 60 infected students/staff; does not specify close contact #. Does not say how many of the 52 non-remote cases acquired COVID in school.
@DrEricDing

8/ Governor Baker just announced move to reopen more business & Fenway Park with Phase 4 but some cities are electing to stay in Phase 3. #mapoli #toosoon mass.gov/news/baker-pol…

9/ Based on DPH data there appears to be a gender split statewide in levels of COVID Fatigue, or in the willingness to be tested. Men are testing positive at much higher rates than in July of last year.

10/ Bad foresight by #govbaker will cause a large COVID spike even as vaccinations reach over 25% of MA residents. This could easily cause a backlash against the April dates for fully reopening MA schools.
@peterhotez @mtosterholm @drericding @jkwan_md @firefoxx66

2/ correction: first column is for 7 days beginning 3/13 not 3/14.