Edmund Schweppe (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
edschweppe) wrote2020-12-06 05:42 pm
edschweppe) wrote2020-12-06 05:42 pm
Entry tags:
Local COVID-19 updates
As of 5PM today, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is reporting 48 newly reported confirmed deaths (7 more than yesterday - up 17.1%) for a total of 10,763 and 4,747 newly reported confirmed cases (609 less than yesterday - down 11.4%) for a total of 247,559. The seven day average positivity rate is 5.34%, compared to 5.40% yesterday. Excluding higher education, the seven day average positivity rate is 7.38%, compared to 7.45% yesterday. The number of estimated active cases was 57,304 (3,105 more than yesterday - up 5.7%). The state also reported 3 newly reported probable deaths (1 more than yesterday - up 50.0%) for a total of 241 and 80 newly reported probable cases (183 less than yesterday - down 69.6%) for a total of 9,285. Combining the confirmed and probable numbers gives 51 new deaths for a total of 11,004 and 4,827 new cases for a total of 256,844. There were 1,416 COVID-19 patients in hospital (12 less than yesterday - down 0.8%), 298 COVID-19 patients in ICUs (15 more than yesterday - up 5.3%) and 139 COVID-19 patients on ventilators (intubated) (1 more than yesterday - up 0.7%).
Of the Commonwealth's four "key metrics" listed on page 2 of the report, the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 3,406 (264 more than yesterday - up 8.4%), 2,069% above the lowest observed value of 157 on July 4 and 14% below the highest observed value of 3,918 on December 3. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 5.3% (0 less than yesterday - down 1.0%), 590% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on September 21 and 81% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on April 15. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 1,312 (48 more than yesterday - up 3.8%), 746% above the lowest observed value of 155 on August 26 and 67% below the highest observed value of 3,874 on April 27. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 36 (1 more than yesterday - up 2.9%), 227% above the lowest observed value of 11 on September 9 and 80% below the highest observed value of 175 on April 24.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,858, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 24, the 7 day hospitalization average was 872, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.0% (or 4.84% excluding higher education).
Day-by-day comparisons are very much a mixed bag (cases, positivity and hospitalizations down; deaths, ICU and ventilators up). But the seven-day averages for cases, deaths and hospitalization are all up again, and everything is much worse than even just a couple of weeks ago.
Governor Baker, to date, has made it clear he's not planning on imposing any further restrictions, despite the climbing numbers. At least one top health expert, and several local mayors, urge otherwise:
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 52 active and 409 cumulative cases as of December 5. The most recent "newsflash style update" at 6PM on November 30 reported 334 cumulative cases with 44 individuals in isolation, 268 persons recovered and 22 fatalities.
Of the Commonwealth's four "key metrics" listed on page 2 of the report, the 7-day average of newly confirmed cases is 3,406 (264 more than yesterday - up 8.4%), 2,069% above the lowest observed value of 157 on July 4 and 14% below the highest observed value of 3,918 on December 3. The 7-day weighted average of positive molecular test rate is 5.3% (0 less than yesterday - down 1.0%), 590% above the lowest observed value of 0.8% on September 21 and 81% below the highest observed value of 27.7% on April 15. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospital is 1,312 (48 more than yesterday - up 3.8%), 746% above the lowest observed value of 155 on August 26 and 67% below the highest observed value of 3,874 on April 27. The 7-day average number of COVID-19 deaths is 36 (1 more than yesterday - up 2.9%), 227% above the lowest observed value of 11 on September 9 and 80% below the highest observed value of 175 on April 24.
Two weeks ago, the 7 day confirmed case average was 1,858, the 7 day confirmed deaths average was 24, the 7 day hospitalization average was 872, and the 7 day weighted average positivity rate was 3.0% (or 4.84% excluding higher education).
Day-by-day comparisons are very much a mixed bag (cases, positivity and hospitalizations down; deaths, ICU and ventilators up). But the seven-day averages for cases, deaths and hospitalization are all up again, and everything is much worse than even just a couple of weeks ago.
Governor Baker, to date, has made it clear he's not planning on imposing any further restrictions, despite the climbing numbers. At least one top health expert, and several local mayors, urge otherwise:
Governor Charlie Baker is facing growing pressure from a leading public health expert and local mayors for a stronger response to Massachusetts's quickly rising wave of COVID-19 cases, with some municipal officials considering regional rollbacks of their own if the state doesn't act.
Dr. Ashish Jha, the dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, aired his frustration with the governor on Twitter Saturday night.
"For many months, I defended @CharlieBakerMA against critics, saying our governor has done a good job," Jha tweeted. "Over past 6 weeks, I've gone from uncomfortable to aghast at lack of action Its incomprehensible. They must see different data because no rational explanation for lack of action."
The Baker administration said Sunday there was no imminent change in its approach.
Municipal leaders from about 30 cities and towns in Greater Boston have been engaged in an ongoing discussion on a collective local response to the swiftly worsening second wave of the virus, perhaps rolling back indoor dining, shutting gyms, and ordering closures of other businesses that have been allowed to reopen.
While similar discussions have taken place before, there is a new sense of urgency with COVID-19 cases hitting record levels. Other states, including California, Rhode Island, and New Mexico, have rolled out partial shutdowns in recent weeks, as have many countries in Europe. Municipal leaders in Massachusetts remain split on the best course of action, with some mayors open to broader rollbacks while others are reluctant to close any more businesses.
The debate highlights the challenge local officials face with cases surging, but money to support shuttered businesses and their employees has largely been spent. Mayors could act on their own but they also know, in a patchwork place like Greater Boston, it's quite easy to go out to eat in the next town over if restaurants in yours are closed. And that would do little to contain the virus.
[ ... ]
Still, pressure mounts for the governor to do more. The White House Coronavirus Task Force, according to a briefing document obtained by ABC News, recently suggested that Massachusetts impose restrictions statewide, not just in high-risk areas.
Tim Buckley, a senior aide to Baker, pointed to governor's actions last month including ordering restaurants and other businesses to close by 9:30 pm and that people stay home at night.
"There are no imminent new measures," Buckley said Sunday, "but the administration has long said every option is on the table."
Municipal leaders are not advocating for a full shutdown like the spring but more targeted restrictions, as well as more virus testing and aid to small businesses. They plan to draw up a menu of options for further discussion this week.
The town of Acton's current Google Data Studio dashboard is showing 52 active and 409 cumulative cases as of December 5. The most recent "newsflash style update" at 6PM on November 30 reported 334 cumulative cases with 44 individuals in isolation, 268 persons recovered and 22 fatalities.