Massachusetts health officials said on Thursday that another 50 residents have lost their lives to coronavirus, bringing the statewide death toll to 7,201.
Officials also confirmed another 471 cases of the virus, which includes 59 probable cases, for a total of at least 102,063 cases across the state, according to the Department of Public Health. That data is based on 7,115 new molecular tests and 1,022 antibody tests reported on Thursday.
On Monday, the state began including probable coronavirus-related deaths and cases, in addition to confirmed ones, as part of its daily reporting. The new data contributed to a rise in total COVID-19 deaths and cases Monday, but the added probable cases and deaths stretch back to March 1.
According to the Mass. Department of Public Health, probable cases consist of individuals who have not been tested by the standard viral test but have either had a positive antibody test “and either had COVID-19 symptoms or were likely to be exposed to a positive case.” They also include individuals who did not have an antibody test but had COVID symptoms and were known to be exposed to a positive case.
Although the new reporting initially resulted in more cases and deaths being reported compared to the several prior days, overall the state continues to report favorable results in the virus trends.
Gov. Charlie Baker said earlier this week that officials are still looking to expand testing capacity, and aim to have the capacity to test up to 45,000 people a day by the end of June. Roughly 4.4% of the population is tested for the virus every month, Baker said.
Baker on Wednesday said that hospitalizations have declined by up to 50% over the past 30 days, and that health officials have observed a 77% decline in the rate of positive cases since the beginning of May.
Baker will decide this coming Saturday whether Phase 2 of the state’s four-part reopening plan will proceed as early as June 8.
Coronavirus in Mass.: Cases, maps, charts and resources
Here are the cases listed by county:
Barnstable County: 1,443
Berkshire County: 568
Bristol County: 7,508
Dukes County: 41
Essex County: 14,969
Franklin County: 337
Hampden County: 6,268
Hampshire County: 894
Middlesex County: 22,485
Nantucket County: 14
Norfolk County: 8,625
Plymouth County: 8,282
Suffolk County: 18,790
Worcester County: 11,529
Unknown location: 310
Related Content:
- UMass forecasters expect COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. to reach 127,000 by June 27
- Massachusetts reopening plan unveils a phased return to a ‘new normal’
- Gov. Charlie Baker to decide Saturday whether Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan will proceed next week
- Here’s what reopening of malls and retail businesses will look like in Massachusetts
- Sign up for free text messages about important updates on coronavirus in Massachusetts