By CHRIS COLLINS
(Athol, MA) — The number of Western Massachusetts communities considered at “high risk” for COVID 19 continues to rise. The Athol Board of Health has announced that town and neighboring Orange are among nearly a dozen communities which are now considered “red zones” because of a spike in new COVID cases. A week ago, Athol reported 33 active cases, but today that number stands at 61. State health officials are asking the public to continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing measures to prevent future outbreaks.