After a brief decline in covid cases in The Tri-Town, Mattapoisett has hit a new high as numbers in all three towns are on the rise. 

Jumping from 22 covid cases to 38, Marion shifted back to red in the state’s color-coded risk-designation system. 

Marion spent seven consecutive weeks as a red community before shifting down to yellow last week. This week, state data show the town returned to the red.

The town sent an email on Jan. 7 to residents, urging that they remain vigilant as cases rise again. 

“Residents are strongly encouraged to avoid high risk activities, especially indoor social gatherings,” read the email. “And all Massachusetts residents are under orders from the Governor to wear masks at all times while in public.”

Cases in Mattapoisett reached a record high this week, rising from 47 to 61. The 61-case tally reported in state-data is the highest two-week case total of any of the three towns since the pandemic began in March. 

Rochester cases rose to 49 after lowering last week from 50 to 36. This is the fifth consecutive week that Mattapoisett and Rochester have been designated as red communities. 

In the old Rochester regional school district, cases shot up this week with 13 new cases found in students, faculty and staff. 

Marion is the first of the three towns to begin significant rollout of a covid vaccine, with inoculaton for first responders in the Tri-Town and Wareham beginning this week.

In addition, the town sent out an email to residents detailing what vaccine rollout may look like in the Tri-Town over the coming months. 

Per the state, vaccine rollout will come in phases. 

Phase one, which is currently underway, includes healthcare workers and first responders. In the email, the Town of Marion urged that residents not call the Board of Health to ask about vaccine availability. The town will notify residents on availability as more information becomes available. 

Phase two, which is set to begin in February, includes essential workers like teachers, grocery store employees and transportation workers, those over 65 years of age, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Phase three, set to begin in April, will make the vaccine available to the general public.

Governor Charlie Baker implemented temporary restrictions on Dec. 26, originally intended to last two weeks. The restrictions have been extended until at least Jan. 24 

In accordance with the restrictions, all places of business, including restaurants, office spaces, retail businesses, places of worship and fitness and health clubs, to 25% capacity. 

State-level covid data is released every Thursday.