Massachusetts health officials announced 17 new deaths from the coronavirus on Friday, raising the death count statewide to 8,149.
Authorities also confirmed another 290 cases of the virus, 78 considered probable, bringing the total in Massachusetts to at least 109,628. That is based on 872,380 molecular tests and 74,598 antibody tests reported Friday, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Patients with a positive serology from an antibody test who show symptoms of the virus or who were likely exposed to it are counted as probable cases, DPH notes.
State environment and public safety officials spoke to Massachusetts citizens about safety concerns and briefed the public on the application of safe practices while surfing, driving, or celebrating at home during vacations at Constitutional Beach in Boston on Friday.
The latest data comes the day Governor Charlie Baker announced that the state will move to Phase 3 of its reopening plan beginning Monday, July 6.
Casinos, gyms and museums are open Monday in Massachusetts as part of Phase 3 of the plan. Like Phase 2, Phase 3 will proceed in two parts, Baker said Thursday during his daily press conference.
“This phase will last significantly longer than the other phases so that we can closely monitor the impact on our public health data,” he said.
These are the cases listed by county:
Barnstable County: 1,553
Berkshire County: 602
Bristol County: 8,295
Dukes County: 50
Essex County: 16,210
Franklin County: 372
Hampden County: 6,834
Hampshire County: 976
Middlesex County: 24,083
Nantucket County: 18
Norfolk County: 9,242
Plymouth County: 8,722
Suffolk County: 19,936
Worcester County: 12,443
Unknown location: 292
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