Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM this afternoon, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting one hundred ninety six more deaths from COVID-19 (for a total of 2,556 to date), 4,946 new cases (for a total of 50,969) and 20,137 more tests performed (for a total of 215,213).

That spike in cases and test results is in part due to a reporting error by one of the big commercial laboratories:

PLEASE NOTE: Today’s data reflects a correction of a reporting error made by Quest, a national commercial laboratory, which affected case counts in multiple states including Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health received a backlog this week of almost 10,000 patient results (both positive and negative) from Quest dating back to April 13. These cases are included for the first time in today’s data.To most accurately reflect real-time trends, DPH sorted the Quest backlog and incorporated confirmed cases into state data based on when those test results should have been reported. In today’s dashboard, daily case counts from April 13 through today now reflect the corrected data.

There were "only" 2,877 new cases reported and 10,897 new test results reported today.

The statewide stay-at-home advisory and non-essential business "bricks and mortar" closures are currently scheduled to expire on May 4, but the Boston Globe is reporting that Governor Baker won't reopen the state until the data supports it.

Governor Charlie Baker said Friday that it was too soon to say whether he will extend the emergency measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic that are set to expire on May 4, telling reporters that he is continuing to monitor data on infection and hospitalization rates.

"We’re going to continue to follow the data, and we’ll have more to say about it when we get a little closer," he said. "I get the fact that people would like an answer, but any answer I give you today wouldn’t be worth very much. Because it’s going to be driven by what happens over the course of the next two weeks. ... I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t predict."

Baker has ordered all non-essential businesses to close and issued a stay-at-home advisory to all residents. The measures expire in 10 days.

Baker said he was looking for a "significant number of days" of reductions in key indicators such as coronavirus infections or hospitalizations, before he will lift restrictions.

"Our view going forward here is going to be that until we start to see some of that kind of information - the peaking of the surge and the move in the other direction for some sustained period of time - we’re not going to be interested in reopening anything," he said.

As can be seen from the numbers above, the state isn't seeing anything even vaguely resembling reductions in infection rates.

As of 5PM this afternoon, the town of Acton is reporting a total of 63 confirmed cases (up from 56 reported in yesterday's update). The town also has cancelled all events at NARA Park through at least July 15; this explicitly includes the Fourth of July concert and fireworks show.