COVID-19 numbers drop in region, no town in ‘red’ Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Franklin County are trending downward, based on the state Department of Public Health’s most recent statistics that were released Thursday, while testing rates are on the rise. Courtesy graphic/Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts Published: 2/5/2021 4:16:55 PM For the first time since before the holidays, there are no Franklin County or North Quabbin towns in the state’s “red” or highest-risk COVID-19 category this week, though five are in the “yellow” or higher-risk category. Orange was the only town left in the “red” last week, but it moved into the yellow with 22 positive COVID-19 cases reported over the past two weeks, according to the most updated figures released Thursday by the state Department of Public Health. The state categorizes cities and towns based on population and the number of cases.