Massachusetts reports 50 new coronavirus deaths, 358 new cases as state adds ‘probable’ COVID-19 deaths and cases

Massachusetts General Hospital

A woman wears a mask outside Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Saturday, March, 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released new data Tuesday showing continued progress in the state’s battle with the coronavirus.

The state reported 50 new COVID-19 deaths and 358 new cases. The numbers include both confirmed COVID-19 deaths and cases as well as presumed ones. Of the 358 newly reported cases, 110 are probable cases dating back to March 1. All of the 50 newly reported deaths were confirmed COVID-19 deaths.

In total, Massachusetts reported 101,163 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday.

On Monday, the state began releasing probable coronavirus-related deaths and cases in addition to confirmed ones. The new reporting method brought a rise in total COVID-19 deaths and cases Monday, but the new addition of probable cases and deaths stretch back to March 1.

According to the department, 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 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.

Patients with a positive molecular test for COVID-19 are counted as confirmed.

Overall the state continues to report favorable results in the virus trends.

Those trends are reported in six key public health indicators the state has identified to track the overall movement of the virus.

Those six indicators are:

  • Positive test rate
  • Number of people who died from COVID-19
  • Number of patients with COVID-19 who are hospitalized
  • Healthcare system readiness
  • Testing capacity
  • Contact tracing capabilities.

The state rates those indicators as “positive trend,” “in progress” or “negative trend." Positive test rate and testing capacity are both currently rated “positive.” Other indicators are “in progress."

The three-day average of COVID-19 deaths in Massachusetts was reported as 45 on Tuesday, showing a continued decline from 152 on May 2. The three-day average of COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized dropped to 1,743 on Tuesday. And the seven-day weighted average of positive tests dropped to 6.5%. All of those metrics marked further drops from Monday.

The state also reported 5,852 new molecular tests and 885 new antibody tests. Antibody tests are used to show whether a person has already been exposed to the virus. In total, 605,771 molecular tests and 46,565 antibody tests have been administered in Massachusetts.

COVID-19 key metrics in Massachusetts, June 2, 2020

COVID-19 key metrics in Massachusetts, showing data released June 2, 2020.

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Cases per county

Barnstable: 1,430

Berkshire: 568

Bristol: 7,380

Dukes: 41

Essex: 14,795

Franklin: 335

Hampden: 6,201

Hampshire: 883

Middlesex: 22,296

Nantucket: 13

Norfolk: 8,600

Plymouth: 8,228

Suffolk: 18,636

Worcester: 11,438

Unknown: 319

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