The nation’s top infectious disease specialist praised Massachusetts’ response to the coronavirus pandemic this week, as key indicators for the state continued to decline as dozens of other states see infections increase.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also noted that stricter blockades in Europe are causing infection rates to drop as US numbers continue to rise as it appeared on Thursday by the late in a video interview with Joshua of the Harvard Business Review. Macht.
When asked about the slowdown in the spread of the virus in Massachusetts and some other states that suffered greatly at the start of the pandemic, Fauci warned that the numbers would inevitably rise as the state continued to reopen business.
“You are going to see infections as we try to open up and go from one phase to another,” Fauci said. “By the way, Massachusetts has done a very, very good job. They have. New York City, even though they were hit very badly, did a very good job of knocking him down. ”
On Monday, Massachusetts is slated to move to Phase 3 of its reopening, which includes casinos, museums, and gyms, though Boston will move to Phase 3 on July 13.
“It is critical that we continue to be smart about how we do this,” Governor Charlie Baker said Thursday. “We would hate to have to backtrack.”
Fauci said the strictest restrictions on movement have proven successful in slowing down the spread of the virus.
“When the European Union closed … about 95 percent or more of the [union] really locked up, “Fauci said.” When we were in our lockdown, about 50 percent of the country was locked up. “
Then he drew in the air a line representing the peak and decline of European cases and the plateau of American cases.
Fauci also reflected on the politicization of the pandemic and said that “the political divide” has made it difficult “to convey a clear message.” He said his only focus is public health, but “there are people who clearly come from a different perspective than mine. They have a very, very heavy focus on the economy or things like work. “
Massachusetts health officials reported Friday that 290 more people have contracted the coronavirus and 17 more have died from it, bringing the state’s total number of deaths to 8,149 and the total case count to 109,628.
Figures include confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus. Of the recently reported deaths, all are confirmed cases of coronavirus. Of the recently reported cases, 212 are confirmed cases and 78 are probable.
Another 11,444 people have been screened for the coronavirus, the state also announced Friday, bringing the total number of people who have received evidence of a coronavirus in Massachusetts to 872,380. More than 1.1 million tests have been administered.
There were 985 new people who received antibody tests, which test an antibody that would indicate whether a person has already had the coronavirus. In Massachusetts, 74,598 people have been tested for antibodies.
Before the July 4 holiday, officials warned residents to stay safe and follow coronavirus restrictions.
At a press conference Thursday, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh urged people to avoid large gatherings and think carefully before doing anything that could put themselves and the community at risk.
“I urge everyone to think about the reality of these losses,” said Walsh, referring to those who have died from the coronavirus. “I think about the success we’ve had, bringing these numbers here in Boston and Massachusetts, and I think about our ability to prevent further death and suffering from the actions we took this weekend and move on.”
Felicia Gans can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @FeliciaGans. Jeremy C. Fox can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @jeremycfox.
