Massachusetts - Coronavirus COVID-19

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High-risk COVID towns in Mass. to be determined by new formula

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is changing the way it classifies community risk for coronavirustransmission on its statewide COVID map released every week, officials said on Friday.

Moving forward, the risk designations — which are colored, grey, green, yellow and red based on infection levels — will be determined using several new metrics for three population categories: communities with a population of less than 10,000; between 10,000 and 50,000; and greater than 50,000.

For communities with fewer than 10,000 residents, “grey” will be assigned if there are 10 total cases or fewer; “green” if there are up 15 cases; “yellow" if there are up to 25 cases; and “red” if there are more than 25 cases.

For communities with between 10,000 and 50,000 residents, “grey” will be assigned if there are 10 total cases or fewer; “green” if there are less than 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than 10 cases; “yellow” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents or a test positivity rate of 5% or more; and “red” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents and a test positivity rate of 5% or more.

Test positivity and average daily cases will still be calculated based on a two-week rolling average, administration officials said.

For communities with more than 50,000 residents, “grey” will be assigned if there are 15 total cases or fewer; “green” if there are less than 10 average cases per 100,000 residents and more than 15 cases; “yellow” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents or a test positivity rate of 4% or more; and “red” if there are 10 or more cases per 100,000 residents and a test positivity rate of 4% or more.

The new metrics replace the Department of Public Health’s old system of classifying communities at higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, which sorted them based their average daily case rate over a 14-day period. Communities were assigned grey if they had less than 5 new cases over a two-week period; green if they had fewer than 4 cases per 100,000 residents; yellow if they have between 4 and 8 per 100,000; and red if they were greater than 8 per 100,000.

Officials say the new categories help to make the community-specific data more nuanced, and better account for increases in cases in smaller communities.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,200 new COVID cases, 23 more deaths on Saturday

State health officials on Saturday announced 2,200 more cases of coronavirus, saying there are currently about 20,720 active cases in Massachusetts.

Cases reported Saturday are based on 92,286 molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health. So far during the pandemic, the state has seen at least 164,936 cases of the virus.

DPH also announced another 23 deaths related to the virus on Saturday. Since the spring, 9,903 residents have died from illness related to confirmed cases of COVID.

As of Saturday, there are 535 people hospitalized with coronavirus, including 127 in intensive care units. The average age of patients hospitalized with the virus is 67, while 80 is the average age of those who have died, DPH reported. The number of hospitalized people has been rising, up from a seven-day average of about 275 in early October. In May, thousands of patients were hospitalized.

The seven-day average rate of positivity stands at 2.27%, per DPH. The seven-day average of new cases is 1,148, about the same amount seen through the end of October and at the beginning of November, compared to a previous low of 157 cases.

 

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Massachusetts reports 1,809 new COVID cases, 20 more deaths on Sunday


Massachusetts public health officials on Sunday announced another 1,809 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide number of active cases to 22,023.

The state Department of Public Health also reported another 20 deaths linked to the virus on Sunday. Since the pandemic began, 166,745 residents have been infected and 9,923 have died. When including probable cases, the death toll jumps to 10,149.

Sunday’s reported cases are based on 80,572 new molecular tests, officials said.

There are currently 568 people in the hospital being treated for coronavirus, including 144 in intensive care.


The average age of patients hospitalized with the virus is 67, while 80 is the average age of those who have died, DPH said. The number of hospitalized people has steadily risen, up from a seven-day average of about 275 in early October. In May, thousands of patients were hospitalized.


The seven-day average rate of positivity stands at 2.27%, per DPH. The seven-day average of new cases is 1,148, about the same amount seen through the end of October and at the beginning of November, compared to a previous low of 157 cases.

 

[weepingangel]

Mass. Reports 1,184 More COVID Cases, 13 New Deaths

Massachusetts reported 1,184 new confirmed coronavirus cases Monday and an additional 13 deaths.

There have now been 9,936 confirmed deaths and 167,929 cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Another 227 deaths are considered probably linked to COVID-19.

The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, remains at 2.3%, according to the report.

The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has increased to 588. Of that number, 143 were listed as being in intensive care units and 66 are intubated, according to DPH.

Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, state health officials have now changed its color-coded coronavirus risk data, a move that has shifted many communities out of the state's highest-risk "red zone."

Last week's change by DPH dropped the number of communities that had been designated in red from 121 to 16. Designation in the red category impacts a community's ability to progress in the state's phased reopening plan and to offer in-person learning at schools.

A map will no longer be included in the weekly report, which comes out on Thursday's, and the risk assessment will now factor in population size, according to DPH.

Under new metrics, communities with populations under 10,000 must have more than 25 cases to be considered in the red category, DPH said.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,047 new COVID cases, 21 deaths as hospitals brace for ‘second wave’


State health officials confirmed another 2,047 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the statewide active count to 23,702. That’s based on 58,341 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Across Massachusetts, there have been 169,976 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, data shows.

Officials also announced 21 more COVID-related deaths, bringing the statewide count to 9,957.

The seven-day average of positive tests has increased to 2.63%. There are now 618 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 150 patients in intensive care.

Tuesday’s numbers also come as President-elect Joe Biden announced that he’s named a number of doctors and medical experts to serve on his coronavirus advisory board, including Boston-based Dr. Atul Gawande, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School.

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Six charts that show what Massachusetts' second wave of COVID looks like

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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday said the state is preparing to stand up field hospitals again as coronavirus infections continue climbing across the state and around the country.

“The trends are obviously going in the wrong direction and show no signs of changing,” Baker said during a press conference at the Massachusetts State House.

He said Massachusetts hospitals are prepared to convert 400 acute care beds to ICU beds as hospitalizations and case counts continue rising.

Boston Medical Center President Kate Walsh assured the public that while hospitalizations are rising, hospital officials are confident they can handle an influx of COVID patients.

“The Massachusetts hospital community is in a very different position today that we were last spring,” Walsh said. “We’re well prepared for a second surge.”

Since the spring, hospital-to-hospital communication — and communication between providers and the state — has improved, novel treatment protocols have been put in place to handle the sickest of patients and testing turnaround time has “vastly improved," Walsh said.

“There’s much deeper coordination and sharing of information at the city and state level," she said.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,495 new COVID cases, 37 deaths on Wednesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,495 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the statewide count to 172,471 infections since the start of the pandemic. Wednesday’s total is based on 80,321 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

There are now 25,055 active cases of the virus in Massachusetts.

Officials also announced another 37 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of dead statewide to 9,994. The average of death is 80.

The seven-day average of positive tests increased to 2.88%. The number of patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 increased to 659, including 152 in intensive care, data shows. The average age of hospitalization is 67.


Additionally, there are 72 people on ventilators in Massachusetts.


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Six charts that show what Massachusetts' second wave of COVID looks like


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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday said the state is preparing to stand up field hospitals again as coronavirus infections continue climbing across the state and around the country.


“The trends are obviously going in the wrong direction and show no signs of changing,” Baker said during a press conference at the Massachusetts State House.


Boston Medical Center President Kate Walsh assured the public that while hospitalizations are rising, hospital officials are confident they can handle an influx of COVID patients.


“The Massachusetts hospital community is in a very different position today that we were last spring,” Walsh said. “We’re well prepared for a second surge.”


Since the spring, hospital-to-hospital communication — and communication between providers and the state — has improved, novel treatment protocols have been put in place to handle the sickest of patients and testing turnaround time has “vastly improved,” Walsh said.

“There’s much deeper coordination and sharing of information at the city and state level,” she said.


Officials with UMass Memorial Health Care say they are “well prepared and equipped” to re-commission the DCU field hospital if cases continue spiking.


“We are unmistakably in a second surge as we see the cases continually rise here in Central Mass. and elsewhere," Dr. Eric Dickson, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, said. "As mentioned, when we decommissioned the field hospital last spring, we fully anticipated having to ramp it up once more. I think the current situation calls for us to use every option possible to beat back this second surge.”


https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-11-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

More than 10,000 dead from COVID in Massachusetts: officials confirm 21 new fatalities, 2,482 cases

Massachusetts reached another grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday as health officials confirmed that there have now been more 10,000 deaths from the virus since the health crisis began.

State health officials announced another 21 COVID-related fatalities Thursday, bringing the confirmed death count to 10,015, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials also confirmed another 2,482 cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 174,953.

There are currently 26,201 active cases of COVID-19 across Massachusetts.

Hospitalizations continue rising. There are 661 people hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 151 patients in intensive care.

The seven-day average of positive tests increased to 2.90%, data shows.

Speaking at Carlisle Public School, where students are learning in-person, Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday reiterated that infections do not appear to be transmitted in hybrid or in-person learning settings. State data has shown that the vast majority of cluster outbreaks have originated in households, and officials have been adamant about getting kids back into the classroom.“Your opportunity to do the right thing on behalf of kids is to find a way to get them into the classroom,” Baker said.

Baker added that the surge in cases so far this fall has so far had “nowhere near” the impact on hospitalizations that the first wave had in the spring.

“We are definitely dealing with a surge that we talked about” over the summer months, Baker said. “The big message that’s critical in all this is familiar people being familiar in familiar settings is ... the major element driving the spread at this point.”

Baker on Tuesday said the state is preparing to stand up field hospitals again, noting that trends are “obviously going in the wrong direction and show no signs of changing.”

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts saw a 51% increase in new COVID cases last week

State health officials confirmed 2,674 new coronavirus cases on Friday in what continues to be an acceleration of the respiratory infection in communities across Massachusetts.

That’s based on 81,305 new molecular tests reported on Friday, according to the Department of Public Health. There have been a total of 177,627 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic.

Officials also announced 23 new COVID-related deaths, for a total now of 10,038 confirmed deaths since the start of the health crisis.
Officials estimate that there are 27,431 active cases of the respiratory infection across the state.


The new numbers now show that last week, beginning Nov. 1, saw a 51% increase in cases over the previous week. There were 12,397 new cases from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, compared to 8,202 the previous week.


There are currently 687 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 153 patients in intensive care, data shows.


Nationwide, there were more than 163,000 new cases on Thursday, with an average of nearly 134,000 a day over the last week, according to the New York Times.


On Thursday, Massachusetts surpassed 10,000 COVID-related fatalities — a grim statistic Gov. Charlie Baker addressed on Friday.


“Every single person in Massachusetts needs to appreciate the significance of their role in dealing with the spread of this virus,” Baker said. “People need to change their behavior.”

 

[weepingangel]

Mass. Reports 2,841 More COVID-19 Cases as Surge Continues

Health officials reported 2,841 new confirmed COVID-19 cases -- setting another high-water mark of daily reported cases for the fall -- and 27 more deaths Saturday, as the rising surge in cases of the coronavirus continues in Massachusetts.

The death toll in the state now stands at 10,293, and the total number of cases of COVID-19 has jumped to 180,468, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's daily report.

Saturday marks the third-most cases reported by Massachusetts in a single day since the pandemic began.

The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, stayed relatively level at 3.07%, according to the report.

The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has increased to 705. Of that number, 151 were listed as being in intensive care units and 71 are intubated, according to the Department of Public Health.



https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-14-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,076 new COVID cases, 33 more deaths Sunday

Massachusetts public health officials on Sunday reported 2,076 new positive COVID-19 tests, bringing the number of active cases to about 30,374 statewide.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 182,544 people in Massachusetts have contracted the virus, which has infected nearly 11 million people across the nation. On Sunday, state Department of Public Health officials also announced another 33 deaths; at least 10,098 have died due to COVID-19-linked illness over the course of the crisis.

As of Sunday, 737 people are being treated for COVID-19 at hospitals, including 159 in intensive care.

Sunday’s new totals are based on 71,371 molecular tests.

The seven-day average positive test rate stands at 3.1%. Just two months ago, the rate fell to 0.8%.

The average age of people hospitalized is 67 and the average age of deaths related to the virus is 80, DPH reported.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Friday that a 240-bed field hospital will be reopened at the DCU Center in Worcester to help manage hospital capacity amid the surging pandemic.

On Labor Day, 178 people were hospitalized. While still far from the spring, when thousands of patients were being treated in hospitals, rates have steadily risen in October and November.

There are currently 30 communities labeled as high risk for spreading the virus, per DPH.

Baker and five other northeastern state governors met this weekend to discuss the possibility of coordinating new restrictions to help curb the spread of the virus.



https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-15-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

COVID hospitalizations in Massachusetts rise to 781; state reports 1,967 new cases

Health officials confirmed 1,967 more coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the number of active infections to 31,768. That’s based on 53,265 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Statewide, there have been 184,511 total confirmed cases of the virus since the start of the pandemic.

Officials also confirmed another 12 COVID-related deaths, for a total now of 10,110 since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average of positive tests increased to 3.17%, which is up from a low of .8 in September.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 across the state increased to 781, which includes 159 patients in intensive care.


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https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-16-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Mass. broke single-day record for most COVID cases last week; reports 2,263 more cases today

State health officials confirmed another 2,263 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases to 32,309. That’s based on 65,468 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Health officials also announced another 20 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths to 10,360.

There are currently 835 people hospitalized across the state with COVID-19 symptoms, including 159 patients in intensive care.

The seven-day average of positive tests increased to 3.25% on Tuesday, which is up from a low of 0.8 in September.


Massachusetts last week broke its record for the most new COVID-19 cases in a day with 3,175 cases on Nov. 9. The previous one-day high was 2,990 on April 17, according to data of cases by date released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.



https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-17-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,744 new COVID cases, 47 deaths on Wednesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,744 coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of active cases to 33,659 statewide. That’s based on 97,636 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Health officials also confirmed another 47 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 10,177. Its the highest single-day death toll since the summer.

The seven-day average of positive tests increased to 3.31%, which is up from a low of .8 in September. The number of new COVID-19 cases last week increased by 32% over the previous week.


There are currently 885 people hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 173 patients in intensive care, data shows.




https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-18-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

COVID hospitalizations climb to 917 as Massachusetts reports 2,532 new cases, 27 more deaths

State health officials confirmed another 2,532 coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 34,664. Thursday’s positive cases were based on 92,139 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

There have now been 192,050 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness since the start of the pandemic, data shows.

Health officials announced another 27 COVID-related fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths to 10,204 since the start of the pandemic.

The seven-day average of positive tests dipped slightly to 3.17%.

There are currently 917 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including 181 patients in intensive care.

New COVID cases in Massachusetts last week rose by 35% over the previous week. More

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,288 new COVID cases, 34 deaths on Friday as state expands travel restrictions

State health officials confirmed another 2,288 coronavirus cases, bringing the number of active cases statewide to 35,526. That’s based on 71,269 new molecular tests reported on Friday, according to the Department of Public Health.

Health officials also confirmed another 34 COVID-related fatalities on Friday, for a total of 10,238 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

There are currently 904 people hospitalized statewide for COVID-19 or symptoms related to the virus, including 179 patients in intensive care.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-20-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,991 new COVID cases, 19 more deaths on Saturday

State health officials on Saturday announced another 2,991 cases of coronavirus based on 109,239 molecular tests.

There are currently about 37,328 active cases of the virus. The seven-day rate of positive tests stands at 3.21%, up from a low of 0.8% in September, according to the Department of Public Health.

Also on Saturday, DPH reported 19 more deaths related to the virus. So far through the pandemic 10,257 have died from confirmed cases of the virus.

There are 891 people hospitalized with the virus as of Saturday, with 187 in the intensive care unit. Hospitalizations have been increasing throughout November.

UMass Memorial Health Care is preparing to open a field hospital at the DCU Center in Worcester. CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said Thursday that if the field hospital were open now, it would be in use. The field hospital is expected to open at the beginning of December.

The average age of those hospitalized is 66 and the average age of those who have died is 81, according to DPH. The largest age group testing positive for the virus are those 20 to 29 years old.

Baker, local officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have urged residents to cancel travel plans and only gather with household members on the Thanksgiving holiday.

Currently, 62 communities in the state are considered at high risk for spreading the virus.

This week, education officials announced that rapid COVID-19 tests will be distributed to 134 schools in the state. Tests are reserved for students or teachers who experience the onset of symptoms during the school day and not for asymptomatic testing.



2,991 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Mass., 19 additional deaths
charts and graphs at link


https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-21-2020/download
dashboard

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts tops 200,000 COVID cases since pandemic began
reports 2,721 new cases, 24 more deaths on Sunday

Massachusetts has topped 200,000 COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with public health officials on Sunday announcing 2,721 newly confirmed positive tests and another 24 COVID-linked deaths as the country continues to see spikes in nearly every state.

The latest totals, based on 110,280 new molecular tests, bring the number of estimated active cases in the commonwealth to 39,073.

The seven-day average rate of positive tests stands at 3.02%, up from a low of 0.8% in September, the Department of Public Health said.

Since the pandemic began, at least 200,050 Massachusetts residents have tested positive and 10,281 have died from confirmed cases of the virus. When including probable cases, the death toll rises to 10,512.

On Saturday alone, the U.S. saw 1,428 COVID-19-linked deaths and nearly 172,000 new cases. During the last week, the U.S. reported an average of 170,000-plus cases per day, nearly a 60% bump over averages earlier this month, The New York Times reported Sunday.

As of Sunday, there are 893 people in Massachusetts being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital, including 192 in intensive care.

The average age of those hospitalized is 66 and the average age of those who have died is 81, officials said.

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 1,785 new COVID cases, 18 deaths as active infections surpass 40k

State health officials reported 1,785 new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the number of known active cases to 40,202.

New infections reported Monday are based on 52,280 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Officials announced another 18 COVID-related fatalities Monday, for a total now of 10,531 deaths statewide since the pandemic began.

There are 922 people hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide, including 204 people in intensive care.

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The seven-day average of positive tests is 3.06%, which is up from a low of .8 in September. There have now been 201,835 total COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic.




https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-23-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Massachusetts reports 2,225 new COVID cases, 20 deaths on Tuesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,225 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 40,449 statewide. The new positive cases are based on 80,819 molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Massachusetts now has 204,060 confirmed cases of the respiratory infection.

Officials also announced another 20 COVID-related fatalities Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 10,319.

As of Tuesday, 954 patients with confirmed coronavirus cases were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 205 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-24-2020/download

 

[weepingangel]

Mass. Reports 3,000 COVID Cases Over Past 30 Hours Noting ‘Technological Issue'
Massachusetts reported more than 3,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases Wednesday, with the Massachusetts Department of Health citing a "technological issue" that extended the window beyond one full day.

The 3,224 new confirmed cases and 53 new deaths reflected case counts from up to a 30-hour period, DPH said on their website.

Massachusetts reports 2,225 new COVID cases, 20 deaths on Tuesday

State health officials confirmed another 2,225 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 40,449 statewide. The new positive cases are based on 80,819 molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.

Massachusetts now has 204,060 confirmed cases of the respiratory infection.

Officials also announced another 20 COVID-related fatalities Tuesday, bringing the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 10,319.

As of Tuesday, 954 patients with confirmed coronavirus cases were hospitalized in Massachusetts, of which 205 were reported to be in an intensive care unit.

https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-dashboard-november-24-2020/download