Local COVID-19 updates
Jun. 19th, 2020 08:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeAs of 4PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 28 newly reported confirmed COVID-19 deaths (for a total of 7,619 confirmed deaths), 152 newly reported confirmed cases (for a total of 102,005) and 9,471 new patients tested by molecular tests (for a total of 746,162), with a total of 939,352 molecular tests administered to date. The ratio of newly confirmed cases to individuals tested by molecular test is 1.6%. The state also reported 2 newly reported probable deaths (for a total of 181), 76 newly reported probable cases (for a total of 4,645), and 1,506 patients tested by antibody tests (for a total of 62,591). In total, the state reported 30 new deaths (for a total of 7,800) and 228 new cases (for a total of 106,650).
Another mixed bag of day-to-day changes today. Now it's the probable deaths that are down while the confirmed deaths are up; confirmed cases are down but probable ones are up. Still, the total numbers of deaths and cases were both down today, as was the percentage of tests coming back positive. Additional good news comes from the state's key metrics; the number of hospitals using their surge capacity dropped by one (to three); even more happily, the three-day average count of COVID-19 patients in hospital is below one thousand for the first time in months.
One big piece of news: restaurants can start offering indoor dining again on Monday.
Another big piece of news, this one bad: state data shows that the pandemic in Massachusetts has significantly and disproportionately impacted minority communities:
The town of Acton has yet to post an update. The most recent report, dated 6:30PM on Wednesday 6/17, was of 172 cumulative cases with 2 individuals in isolation, 149 persons recovered and 21 fatalities. When I looked at that report yesterday, it still read 148 persons recovered (which meant that the different subtotals didn't add up to the reported total of 172); I don't see any note on the page explaining the change.
Another mixed bag of day-to-day changes today. Now it's the probable deaths that are down while the confirmed deaths are up; confirmed cases are down but probable ones are up. Still, the total numbers of deaths and cases were both down today, as was the percentage of tests coming back positive. Additional good news comes from the state's key metrics; the number of hospitals using their surge capacity dropped by one (to three); even more happily, the three-day average count of COVID-19 patients in hospital is below one thousand for the first time in months.
One big piece of news: restaurants can start offering indoor dining again on Monday.
Governor Charlie Baker said Friday that restaurants in Massachusetts can begin offering indoor dining on Monday as the state’s gradual reopening continues amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The reaction from restaurant owners and diners was a mix of relief, surprise, and concern about health and safety issues. Even after Baker's latest move to ease restrictions, it is clear that dining out will not see a return to normal any time soon.
Baker said restaurant tables indoors will have to be at least 6 feet apart, though there won't be a capacity limit. Party sizes will be limited to six people, and bar seating will be prohibited, he said at his regular State House briefing.
"We’re moving in the right direction as we continue our gradual reopening," Baker said. He urged all residents to continue social distancing, wearing masks in public, practicing good hygiene, and monitoring for symptoms. "We should keep in mind that COVID doesn’t take the summer off."
Baker touted the plummeting positive test rate for the virus in Massachusetts, which currently stands at about 2.3 percent. "We're going to want at least two weeks of indoor dining data," he said, before the state will move on to the next reopening phase.
In addition to indoor restaurant service returning, close-contact services such as nail salons can also reopen Monday with restrictions, and retail outlets will be permitted to open dressing rooms by appointment only, Baker said. Also, offices will be permitted to increase their capacity to 50 percent.
Another big piece of news, this one bad: state data shows that the pandemic in Massachusetts has significantly and disproportionately impacted minority communities:
New data released Friday by the Baker administration reveal the stark racial divide in Massachusetts surrounding illnesses and deaths from COVID-19, providing in more granular details just how significantly and disproportionately the virus has hit Black and Hispanic communities.
For instance, the numbers indicate that nearly 30 percent of COVID-19 cases in the state are among Hispanic residents, yet Hispanics account for just 12 percent of the population.
Similarly, Black residents represent about 7 percent of the population, but are double that proportion in COVID-19 cases, at 14.4 percent.
Overall, the state data show, the rate of positive cases among Black and brown residents is more than three times that of white residents. But despite a state mandate in April that required labs and health care providers to report racial and ethnic information when testing residents, the latest state data show that crucial information is still missing on 35 percent of cases.
The town of Acton has yet to post an update. The most recent report, dated 6:30PM on Wednesday 6/17, was of 172 cumulative cases with 2 individuals in isolation, 149 persons recovered and 21 fatalities. When I looked at that report yesterday, it still read 148 persons recovered (which meant that the different subtotals didn't add up to the reported total of 172); I don't see any note on the page explaining the change.