Massachusetts health officials on Friday reported that 35 more people have died from the coronavirus and 494 new cases were reported, continuing an encouraging trend of many positive key data indicators.
Coronavirus hospitalizations went down by 104 patients, continuing a recent trend that brings the state’s COVID-19 hospitalization total to 1,533. Overall, the statewide hospitalization total has declined by 55% since May 5.
For the first time, COVID hospitalizations are now one of three key data indicators that are trending positive, according to state health officials. Other positive markers include testing capacity and positive test rate.
The 35 new deaths bring the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 7,235, the state Department of Public Health announced. The three-day average of coronavirus daily deaths has dropped from 161 at the start of May to 41 now.
The state has logged 102,557 total cases of the highly contagious disease, an increase of 494 confirmed cases since Thursday and 74 probable cases.
At least 1,533 people in Massachusetts are currently being hospitalized for the coronavirus. There are 350 patients in the ICU, and 238 are currently intubated.
The highest peak of Massachusetts coronavirus hospitalizations was 3,965 on April 21. The three-day average of the number of coronavirus hospitalizations has gone from 3,707 on May 1 to 1,618 now.
An additional 9,760 molecular tests have brought the state’s total to 631,008 tests. An additional 1,120 antibody tests brings the state’s total to 49,556 tests.
The seven-day weighted average of the state’s positive test rate has declined from 16.6% on May 1 to 5.1% now, reaching close to the World Health Organization recommendation of 5% or fewer to reopen.
Middlesex County has the most confirmed cases in Massachusetts with 22,583 cases, followed by Suffolk County with 18,858 cases.
The state reported 21,949 residents and health care workers at long-term care facilities have now contracted the virus, with 350 facilities reporting at least one case of COVID-19.
Of the state’s 7,235 total coronavirus deaths, 4,504 deaths are connected to long-term care facilities.
The U.S. has recorded more than 1.8 million coronavirus cases — the most cases in the world. More than 108,000 Americans have died, and more than 485,000 have recovered.
There are more than 6.6 million confirmed cases worldwide and more than 390,000 deaths. More than 2.9 million people have recovered.
