Coronavirus updates: Number of Mass. COVID-19 deaths eclipses 4,000

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Previous updates: April 19-25

Live updates on Monday, May 4

News conferences for today

Governor Charlie Baker will hold a news conference at approximately noon.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is set to give an update at 1:30 p.m.

Boston 25 News will bring these updates to you live on air and online.

Sunday, May 3

Daily COVID-19 deaths increase as Mass. DPH reports 158 new deaths, 1,824 new cases

After three consecutive days of decreases in daily COVID-19 deaths, newly reported deaths in Massachusetts from the virus have increased as the state’s Department of Public Health announced that 158 more people have died from the coronavirus as of Sunday. That number is a 28-person increase from Saturday’s totals.

In total, 4,004 people have died in Massachusetts from COVID-19.

Mass. DPH also announced 1,824 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth. This is the second straight day that the number of new cases in the state has decreased. With the latest Sunday numbers, the total amount of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Massachusetts has risen to 68,087 people.

The state also reported that 15,652 new tests for COVID-19 were administered, pushing the number of tests performed in Massachusetts to 314,646.

Saturday, May 2

38 additional employees at Worcester Walmart test positive for COVID-19

Thirty-eight more employees at a Walmart in the City of Worcester have tested positive for COVID-19 after 258 employees at the store were tested on Thursday, the city’s health department announced. That pushes the total number of employees at that Walmart who have tested positive for COVID-19 to 61 people.

Also, 119 additional employees were tested for the virus on Friday, bringing the total number of employees tested to 377 people. The results from those Friday tests are still pending.

Mass. DPH announces 130 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,952 additional cases

The death toll in Massachusetts from COVID-19 has risen to 3,846 people after the state’s Department of Public Health announced Saturday that 130 new people have died as a result of the virus. This is the third consecutive day that daily COVID-19 deaths have decreased in the Commonwealth.

Mass. DPH also confirmed that, as of Saturday, there are an additional 1,952 cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing Massachusetts’ total to 66,263 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. This is a decrease from Friday’s announcement of 2,106 new COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth.

The state has tested 9,358 more people for the virus in Massachusetts as of Saturday, bringing the total number of people who have been tested for the virus in the state to 298,994 people.

Friday, May 1:

Mass. Public Health announces 154 new COVID-19 deaths

State health officials say another 154 people have died from COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, bringing the total number of deaths to 3,716.

Another 2,106 cases have been confirmed. The total number of cases in the state is now 64,311.

A total of 289,636 tests have been performed.

Gov. Baker signs executive order requiring face coverings in public

Starting May 6, if you can’t keep 6 feet of distance from others, you must wear a face covering, according to an executive order just signed by Governor Baker.

This doesn’t apply to children under two years old.

>> Related: What Mass. cities and towns are requiring face coverings in public

News conferences for today

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will speak at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Governor Charlie Baker is set to speak at approximately 1:30.

The White House Coronavirus Task Force does not have a news conference on the schedule for Friday. If that changes, Boston 25 News will carry that live.

Boston 25 News will carry both of these live on air and online.

Thursday, April 30:

Steamship Authority requiring passengers to use face masks inside ferry boats

Effective immediately, any and all passengers traveling on Steamship Authority vessels are required to wear a mask on board. Any passengers who are not wearing a mask will be told to sit outside or in another appropriate area.

Health officials announce 157 new deaths from COVID-19, 1,940 additional cases

The number of deaths from COVID-19 has climbed to 3,562 after 157 new deaths were reported on Thursday. 1,940 new cases have been reported, bringing the total in the state to 62,205.

Currently, 6% of all confirmed coronavirus cases are currently hospitalized. Since the outbreak began in the state, 275,647 people have been tested for the deadly virus.

According to data from the state, the average age of COVID-19 cases is 54, while the average age of cases reported as hospitalized is 69. The average age of deaths in confirmed coronavirus cases is 82.

Massachusetts Network of Care

A new online resource provides a comprehensive, searchable directory to help Massachusetts residents find information on behavioral health services and treatment in their communities.

Network of Care Massachusetts includes a directory of over 5,000 programs and organizations across the Commonwealth, searchable by keyword and zip code. For each listing, users can find a program description and contact information, as well as information on populations served, relevant eligibility and fee information, and more.

Learn more here.

Essex County Sheriff says inmate has died from COVID-19

An inmate at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington has died due to complications from COVID-10 and other underlying health issues, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday.

Officials say the 41-year-old man had been in the Middleton House of Correction since Feb. 18. He died Wednesday evening.

As of April 29, 60 inmates at Essex Co. facilities have tested positive for COVID-19 and 45 have fully recovered, as Boston 25 News reporter Bob Ward explained Wednesday.

>> COVID-19-positive inmates recover behind bars at Middleton jail

Wednesday, April 29

252 new COVID-19 deaths and 1,963 additional positive cases announced

The death toll in Massachusetts from COVID-19 has risen to 3,405 people on Wednesday after the state’s Department of Public Health announced that 252 new people have died as a result of the virus.

Additionally, the state has announced 1,963 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, raising the total number of people who have tested positive to 60,265. The additional positive cases are also an increase from Tuesday, where 1,840 new cases were announced by Mass. DPH.

Mass. DCR creates ‘Find a Park’ service

Being inside may be helping keep everyone safe from the coronavirus, but being inside for long periods of time might not be the best for your mental health.

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation wants to help you get outside safely and keep your distance.

So the organization created a web page to help people find parks nearby and learn what the rules are.

You can visit the park in the tweet below.

News conferences scheduled for Wednesday

Governor Charlie Baker is holding a news conference at noon.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh will speak at approximately 3 p.m.

It’s unclear if the White House Coronavirus Task Force will hold a news conference on Wednesday. If they do, we will bring it to you on air and online.

Tuesday, April 28

150 new COVID-19 deaths and 1,840 additional positive cases announced

The death toll in Massachusetts from COVID-19 has risen to 3,153 people on Tuesday after the state’s Department of Public Health announced that 150 new people have died as a result of the virus. This marks a 46-person increase in the daily death total after three consecutive days of decreased numbers.

Additionally, the state has announced 1,840 new positive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, raising the total number of people who have tested positive to 58,302. The additional positive cases are also an increase from Monday, where 1,524 new cases were announced by Mass. DPH.

Massachusetts has conducted 9,613 new tests for COVID-19 since Monday’s update, boosting the total number of tests performed in the state to 254,500. That new tests number is also an increase from Monday’s, when 8,787 new tests were performed.

City of Lawrence announces Executive Order requiring face masks

Residents in Lawrence are now required to wear face masks or facial coverings in public places.

Mayor Daniel Rivera announced the Executive Order from the Board of Health on Tuesday and it states:

• Everyone over the age of 5 must wear a mask or facial covering whenever entering a public building, using public transportation, pumping gas or in common areas of residential buildings
• Every store, workplace or facility is allowed to refuse service to a person without a face mask
• Any person who enters a public space without a mask or face covering will be deemed a trespasser and may be subject to civil or criminal prosecution
• Social distancing guidelines still apply
• Essential businesses shall ensure all employees and staff members comply
• Noncompliance will result in a $300 fine
• This order does not apply to people engaged in outdoor physical activity or people riding in their personal cars

The order takes effect on Wednesday, April 29th.

“Lawrence continues to have some of the highest coronavirus counts in the Commonwealth. It is important for residents to remember that the best way to stop the spread is to stay home unless you need food, medicine, or medical attention,” said Rivera.

Gov. Baker extends stay-at-home advisory through May 18

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie has extended the state’s stay at home advisory through Monday, May 18. The advisory was originally set to expire on Monday, May 4. The decision was announced at Gov. Baker’s Tuesday afternoon press conference.

In addition to the advisory extension, Gov. Baker also announced that the state’s closure of non-essential businesses will also be extended through Monday, May 18.

News conferences scheduled for Tuesday

Governor Charlie Baker will speak at approximately noon. On Monday, Baker said his administration would give an update this week on the May 4 expiration of his stay-at-home advisory.

Monday, April 27

Mass. DPH announces 104 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,524 additional cases in state

The death toll for COVID-19 in Massachusetts has risen to 3,003 people after the state’s Department of Public Health announced that 104 new people have died form COVID-19 as of Monday. This is the third day in a row where the number of new COVID-19 deaths announced in the state has decreased.

The Department of Public Health also announced 1,524 new cases of COVID-19 in Mass., bringing the state’s total of positive cases to 56,462.

Additionally, the state administered 8,787 new COVID-19 tests as of Monday, bringing the total number of coronavirus tests performed in Massachusetts to 244,887.

Harvard provost announces university will reopen for fall 2020, no word on whether learning will be online or on-campus

Harvard University Provost Alan M. Garber announced in a message to the school that Harvard will resume teaching and research for Fall 2020, according to a story published in The Crimson, the university’s student-run media outlet.

It is not currently known if learning will be online or back on Harvard’s campus, but the university has ruled out delaying the fall semester as a whole.

Provost Garber mentioned the possibility that the university could begin the fall semester online before transitioning back to in-person schooling later on in during the semester, according to The Crimson.

Mayor Marty Walsh says Boston will not reopen by May 4

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a press conference Monday afternoon that the City of Boston, “will not reopen on May 4th.” The announcement comes one week before the state’s stay-at-home advisory is set to expire.

Mayor Walsh did not officially announce a date that a stay-at-home advisory in the city would run through. Earlier in the day, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said at a press conference that he and his administration would likely address the upcoming May 4th expiration date later this week.

Gov. Baker announces additional $130 million for nursing homes amid pandemic

Baker said we’ve flattened the curve of coronavirus, but it’s plateaued depending on what part of Massachusetts you live in. He said the curve will probably fall slowly the way it ramped up slowly.

Massachusetts has unfortunately evolved into a national hotspot, he said, and nursing homes have been hit by the “insidious virus,” Baker said. He added that 10,051 residents and staff at long-term care facilities have contracted COVID-19.

Baker announced an additional $130 million for nursing homes, after his first $130 million announced on April 15 for additional assistance to help address staffing shortages, for more PPE, etc.

He said officials are putting in place mandatory criteria that operators at nursing homes must adhere to, including testing all staff for coronavirus and facilities will be audited to make sure they’re meeting requirements.

Baker thanked nursing home staffs who have worked diligently during the coronavirus pandemic.

He reiterated the importance of social distancing and wearing face masks in public.

News conferences scheduled for Monday

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone will hold a news conference at 11:30 a.m. where he is expected to announce a requirement for all residents to wear face coverings while in public, or be subject to a $300 fine.

Governor Charlie Baker will speak at approximately noon.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m.

The White House Coronavirus Task Force was scheduled to speak around 5 p.m., but that news conference has since been canceled.

Boston 25 News will bring these to you live.

Sunday, April 26

Mass. DPH announces 169 new COVID-19 deaths, 1,590 additional positive cases in state

The death toll from COVID-19 in Massachusetts has risen to 2,899 on Sunday after the state’s Department of Public Health announced that 169 more people have died from the virus in the Commonwealth.

Additionally, Mass. DPH also reported Sunday that there are 1,590 new cases of the virus in Massachusetts, pushing the state’s total number of positive COVID-19 cases to 54,938.

The state also published its latest testing numbers on Sunday afternoon as 9,255 additional tests were reported, bringing the number of people in Massachusetts who have been tested for COVID-19 to 236,100.

Mayor Marty Walsh announces antibody testing for 1,000 Boston residents

Around 1,000 Boston residents will be invited to participate in a study to evaluate community exposure to COVID-19 through antibody testing, Mayor Walsh announced with Dr. Peter Slavin, President of Mass. General Hospital and the Boston Public Health Commission.

Residents living in East Boston, Roslindale and within the boundaries of zip codes 02121 and 02125 in Dorchester will be the focus of the samples, Walsh’s news release said.

“The more we can expand our testing, the more we can learn how to use our medical resources more efficiently, and how we need to focus our current efforts to contain the virus," Walsh said. "I want to thank MGH for being an excellent partner on this effort that we hope will be a step forward towards the path to recovery.”

Read the full article here.

Gov. Charlie Baker still discussing when to re-open non-essential businesses

Gov. Baker still determining when to re-open non-essential businesses Baker said re-opening on May 4 was set based off the surge happening in early April, but it occurred later.

RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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