Local COVID-19 updates

[edschweppe]

As of 4PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 23 newly reported confirmed COVID-19 deaths (for a total of 7,490 confirmed deaths), 58 newly reported confirmed cases (for a total of 101,334) and 4,492 new patients tested by molecular tests (for a total of 712,875), with a total of 894,616 molecular tests administered to date. The ratio of newly confirmed cases to individuals tested by molecular test is 1.3%. The state also reported no newly reported probable deaths (for a total of 157), 29 newly reported probable cases (for a total of 4,356), and 304 patients tested by antibody tests (for a total of 57,886). In total, the state reported 23 new deaths (for a total of 7,647) and 87 new cases (for a total of 105,690).

Newly reported deaths and cases were both down, which is fantastic. However, the number of molecular tests was way down. I really, really hope that's an artifact of relatively wonky weekend reporting.

Today, for the first time, the state provided a separate count of the total number of molecular tests administered to date.

Governor Baker's press conference included some hints that he may be announcing the second step of the second phase of the reopening plan by the end of the week:

Speaking at a news conference earlier on Monday, Governor Charlie Baker said the numbers have been going in the right direction.

"Yesterday’s numbers were consistent with what we’ve been reporting over the course of the past few weeks: Continued positive incremental progress," he said.

And as Massachusetts completes its first week of Phase 2 of reopening, Baker noted that although things may look a little different, "thanks to everyone's creativity and commitment, we're reopening and effectively bringing the fight to the virus at the same time."

However, while the state’s "progress to date is encouraging," Baker said that "doesn't mean the virus has left town."

"Until there’s a medical breakthrough with a treatment or a vaccine, it's up to all of us to continue to do the things that we know can kill COVID," Baker said, such as wearing face coverings, hand-washing, physical distancing, and getting tested when appropriate.

"The people of the Commonwealth have done extraordinary work over the course of the past 120 days to get us to this point. I would just ask you to keep doing all you've been doing to fight COVID while we continue to move forward," he said.

Baker also suggested he may have more news on the state's reopening process later in the week. Asked by a reporter when people would be able to get their nails done, a service that would open under Step 2 of the current second phase of the state’s reopening plan, Baker replied, "I think by the time we get to the end of this week, we’ll probably have an announcement to make on that."

State officials previously have not disclosed when Step 2 would potentially begin. Other services that can open under Step 2 include indoor dining at restaurants, massage therapy, tanning and tattoo salons, and personal training, all with restrictions, according to the state's reopening plan.

During the news conference, Baker also said that Massachusetts will offer free pop-up coronavirus testing at more than 50 locations around the state for people who have attended recent protests against police brutality and racial discrimination.

"Getting tested this week is another important way to play your part in slowing the spread of this virus," he said. "If you’re healthy and feeling fine, you should consider getting tested, anyway."

Baker said there had been almost 300 protests across the state where more than 100 people had gathered. "Any time you have a big group that gets together like that it can be risky in this environment," he said.

The town of Acton has not posted an update today; the most recent report, as of 8:30AM on June 13, reported 171 cumulative cases with 2 individuals in isolation, 148 persons recovered and 21 fatalities. The warrant for the Town Meeting on June 29 was posted today; in order to keep people at least six feet apart to prevent coronavirus infection, the plan is to use both the high school gymnasium and the adjacent parking lot for seating. (Usually, Town Meeting happens in the school auditorium; not this time, though, for tolerably obvious reasons.)