Local (and local-ish) COVID-19 updates
Nov. 30th, 2020 05:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
edschweppeAs of 5PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 25 newly reported confirmed deaths (21 less than yesterday - down 45.7%) for a total of 10,512 and 1,166 newly reported confirmed cases (1,335 less than yesterday - down 53.4%) for a total of 218,329. The seven day average positivity rate is 3.93%, compared to 3.80% yesterday. Excluding higher education, the seven day average positivity rate is 5.55%, compared to 5.39% yesterday. The number of estimated active cases was 43,856 (147 more than yesterday - up 0.3%). The state also reported 1 newly reported probable death (1 more than yesterday) for a total of 236 and 94 newly reported probable cases (11 less than yesterday - down 10.5%) for a total of 7,803. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 26 new deaths for a total of 10,748 and 1,260 new cases for a total of 226,132. There were 1,174 COVID-19 patients in hospital (93 more than yesterday - up 8.6%), 244 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (6 more than yesterday - up 2.5%) and 126 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (16 more than yesterday - up 14.5%).
Of the Commonwealth's four "key metrics" listed on page 2 of the report, the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 1,721 (11 more than yesterday - up 0.6%), 996% above the lowest observed value of 157 on July 4 and 34% below the highest observed value of 2,602 on November 20. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 3.9% (0 more than yesterday - up 3.6%), 408% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on September 21 and 86% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on April 15. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 1,021 (36 more than yesterday - up 3.7%), 558% above the lowest observed value of 155 on August 26 and 74% below the highest observed value of 3,874 on April 27. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 27 (same as yesterday), 145% above the lowest observed value of 11 on September 9 and 85% below the highest observed value of 175 on April 24.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,916, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 21, the 7 day hospitalization average was 693, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.2% (or 5.25% excluding higher education).
Big drop in newly reported cases and deaths - but it's Monday, which means slow weekend reporting may well be responsible. The bad news is that positivity is up again, hospitalization counts are all up (again!), and the estimated active cases keeps going up with no end in sight.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island sent out an emergency alert today saying that state's hospitals are at capacity due to COVID:
Yes, the vaccines are on their way; but they're still a few months out. And the Thanksgiving surge is just now starting up ...
The town of Acton has yet to post an update today. As of the most recent report at 7:30PM on November 25, the town of Acton reported 317 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in town with 36 individuals in isolation, 260 recovered and 21 fatalities.
Of the Commonwealth's four "key metrics" listed on page 2 of the report, the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 1,721 (11 more than yesterday - up 0.6%), 996% above the lowest observed value of 157 on July 4 and 34% below the highest observed value of 2,602 on November 20. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 3.9% (0 more than yesterday - up 3.6%), 408% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on September 21 and 86% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on April 15. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 1,021 (36 more than yesterday - up 3.7%), 558% above the lowest observed value of 155 on August 26 and 74% below the highest observed value of 3,874 on April 27. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 27 (same as yesterday), 145% above the lowest observed value of 11 on September 9 and 85% below the highest observed value of 175 on April 24.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,916, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 21, the 7 day hospitalization average was 693, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.2% (or 5.25% excluding higher education).
Big drop in newly reported cases and deaths - but it's Monday, which means slow weekend reporting may well be responsible. The bad news is that positivity is up again, hospitalization counts are all up (again!), and the estimated active cases keeps going up with no end in sight.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island sent out an emergency alert today saying that state's hospitals are at capacity due to COVID:
RIGOV COIVID ALERT: Hospitals at capacity due to COVID. Help the frontline by staying home as much as possible for the next two weeks. Work remotely if you can, avoid social gatherings, get tested. If we all decrease our mobility, we will save lives. Learn more about RI on Pause at reopeningRI.com/pause
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island’s hospitals reached their COVID-19 capacity on Monday, just as the state began a two-week "pause" aimed at keeping the pandemic from the health care system.
[ ... ]
"Today is the first day of the pause," Department of Health spokesman Joseph Wendelken said. "And we wanted to be sure people understood the new restrictions in place and reiterate the message we have been sharing – that people need to wear masks, practice social distancing, and keep their groups small and consistent."
Dr. Megan L. Ranney, an emergency physician at Brown University who specializes in public health research, retweeted the public safety alert, saying, "This is my state right now. To all the people (who I don’t tag, bc they don’t deserve the notoriety) who accused me of 'fear mongering' — I hope you don’t get sick, from #covid19 or anything else, because WE HAVE NOWHERE TO TREAT YOU."
But Wendelken said COVID-19 patients will be able to go to field hospitals in Rhode Island, and very sick patients will be sent to intensive care units in Rhode Island hospitals. He said there will be no need to send COVID-19 patients to hospitals in other states.
[ ... ]
As part of the state’s "two week pause," recreational businesses including bowling alleys, theaters, and casinos, as well as indoor sporting facilities and gyms must close. Bars and bar areas in restaurants are also required to close, while restaurants are limited to 33 percent of indoor capacity and only people in the same household may sit together at a table. Residents are being asked to limit their social circles to only people in their own households.
"This will not be easy, but I am pleading with you to take it seriously," Raimondo said in a statement. "Choosing to gather with those outside your household will have ripple effects that will increase the strain on our hospitals and put lives at risk.
Yes, the vaccines are on their way; but they're still a few months out. And the Thanksgiving surge is just now starting up ...
The town of Acton has yet to post an update today. As of the most recent report at 7:30PM on November 25, the town of Acton reported 317 cumulative cases of COVID-19 in town with 36 individuals in isolation, 260 recovered and 21 fatalities.