Local officials say COVID-19 outbreaks at jails, colleges unfairly penalize small businesses

Leaders in Middleton and North Andover are asking Gov. Charlie Baker to stop including coronavirus cases at jails and colleges in community-wide case numbers due to it negatively impacting their statewide risk designation and preventing small businesses from entering the next step of reopening.

An outbreak at Middleton jail has infected more than 130 inmates and 31 staffers, but beyond the House of Correction, there is just one coronavirus case in town.

Middleton leaders told the Boston Herald that the outbreak at the jail has landed the town in the so-called “red zone” for coronavirus risk, and is preventing small businesses from entering Step 2 of Phase 3 of reopening.

Meanwhile, in North Andover, a coronavirus outbreak at Merrimack College has also forced the city into the high-risk category. Last week, Melissa Rodrigues, North Andover’s town manager, said 93 cases at Merrimack College single-handedly kicked North Andover up into the red on the state’s map.

The Herald reports leaders in both municipalities are urging Baker and state health leaders to stop including coronavirus clusters at jails and colleges in town-wide COVID-19 numbers.

The Herald asked Baker if he would consider making this change, but a spokesman would not answer the question.

Boston 25 News also reached out to the governor’s office for comment but has not yet heard back.

Related:

Increased COVID-19 cases at Middleton jail sparks concerns for second spike

COVID-19 clusters threaten reopening plans in Merrimack Valley

40 communities now considered high-risk zones for COVID-19

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