Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 68 newly reported confirmed COVID-19 deaths (for a total of 7,012 confirmed deaths), 425 newly reported confirmed cases (for a total of 97,964) and 8,362 new patients tested by molecular tests (for a total of 614,133). The ratio of newly confirmed cases to molecular test results is 5.1%. The state reported zero probable deaths (leaving the total at 141), 4 newly reported probable cases (for a total of 3,628), and 849 patients tested by antibody tests (for a total of 47,414). In total, the state reported 68 new deaths (for a total of 7,152) and 429 new cases (for a total of 101,592).

Both the daily confirmed death count and the daily confirmed new case count are up from yesterday, as is the percentage of (molecular) tests coming back positive. That's not good news. Further, two more hospitals are now using surge capacity to deal with COVID-19 patients. One day does not itself a trend make, and all these numbers are better than the ones last Wednesday, but any time these counts get worse is worry-making for me.

Governor Baker will reportedly announce the date for Phase 2 of the state reopening plan ... on Saturday:

With progress continuing in the fight against coronavirus, Massachusetts is on the verge of opening up more of its economy and society, Governor Charlie Baker said Wednesday.

Baker told reporters that on Saturday he'll announce a date to start Phase Two of the reopening plan, a landmark that would allow more retailers and restaurants, child care centers and summer camps to open their doors again. Under the state's plan, the earliest Phase Two can begin is Monday.

New cases and hospitalization rates have gradually declined in recent weeks, and Baker said just 5 percent of coronavirus tests processed Tuesday came back positive, down from 27 percent in mid-April. But people shouldn’t get complacent, said Baker, who urged Massachusetts residents to continue to wear masks in public, social distance, wash their hands often, and generally stay home as much as possible.

[ ... ]

Several high-level state officials joined Baker to outline guidelines released earlier this week for how businesses and other institutions can operate under Phase Two.

Economic development secretary Michael Kennealy noted that many retail stores will be allowed to reopen, but will do so under strict capacity limits and distancing guidelines, which stores themselves will need to enforce.

"The retail customer experience will be different than it was before COVID-19," Kennealy said. "Please remember to be kind and patient to workers."

Day cares and summer camps will be quite changed as they reopen this summer as well. Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, the state’s commissioner of early education, stressed that guidelines — which include social distancing, staggered drop-off schedules, and daily health screenings of children and staff — will make life far more complicated for both parents and providers.

"Child care will look different," she said. "As a former preschool teacher, I want to acknowledge how hard this will be for both educators and families."

One thing I didn't see in the Globe report was any reason why the governor is waiting until Saturday to make the call.

The state also released its Weekly COVID-19 Public Health Report. My town of Acton is listed as having 152 confirmed cases (for a rate of 640.48 cases per 100k population) and 1,344 persons tested (for a rate of 5,663.19 persons tested per 100k population), for a "percent positivity" of 11.31%. The corresponding statewide numbers are 97,964 cases (1,406.16 cases per 100k), 614,133 persons tested (8,815.15 persons tested per 100k), and 15.95% positive tests.

Once again, the town of Acton has yet to post an update for today. Yesterday's report (supposedly issued at 10:30PM) listed 169 cumulative cases with 36 individuals in isolation, 112 persons recovered and 21 fatalities. (Don't ask me why the state says Acton had 152 cases and the town says 169.)