The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Massachusetts among confirmed cases increased from 11 to 8,163, the state reported Thursday. The number of confirmed cases increased by 143, bringing the total to 106,271, as the key metrics the state is using to monitor the reopening were generally stable.
The state also reported one new probable case death, with a total increase of 217, and 91 additional probable cases for a total of 6,310.
The state said 12,880 new individuals had been tested for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of individuals to 995,374. The total number of tests administered increased to 1,274,585. And the state reported that new antibody tests had been completed for 1,189 people, with a total of 83,598.
Meanwhile, two of the four key metrics that state officials are seeking for the reopening of the state increased, while one remained stable and the other fell slightly.
The seven-day weighted average of positive tests for coronavirus increased slightly from 1.6 percent on Tuesday to 1.7 percent on Wednesday, but still represents a 94 percent drop from mid-April. The metric has hovered at or below 2 percent since mid-June.
The three-day average of hospitalized patients with coronavirus fell slightly, falling to 566 as of Wednesday from 570 the previous day. That figure represents an 84 percent drop from mid-April.
The number of hospitals using the surge capacity held steady at six on Wednesday for the second consecutive day. However, the metric has still seen a 71 percent drop since April 15.
The three-day average of deaths among confirmed cases rose slightly to 13 on Monday, from 11 the previous day. Still, that number has dropped 92 percent since mid-April.
The numbers were reported hours after Governor Charlie Baker warned Massachusetts residents not to relax with the methods shown to curb the spread of COVID-19: wearing face covers, washing hands, socializing on the air Free instead of indoors and disinfect surfaces.
“It is quite clear at this point that the Commonwealth has made significant progress in curbing the spread of COVID-19 since March, gradually reopening our economy, and expanding our testing capabilities statewide. But that significant progress is largely due to the cooperation and participation of each resident, ”he said.
Baker also noted that it is “especially important as the rest of the country has seen a significant increase in recent weeks that we remain vigilant here in Massachusetts.”
The number of coronaviruses is increasing in dozens of states, particularly in the south and west. Infection metrics are increasing in 40 states, and 22 states have slowed or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to an Associated Press report citing Bank of America.
California recently closed gymnasiums, beauty salons, and other “nonessential” businesses across the state. Bars in Texas are closing again due to increasing infections. And Pennsylvania this week ordered restaurants to operate at just 25 percent of capacity.
Meanwhile, a growing number of states are considering or requiring that people wear face covers in public. Republican governors in Alabama and Texas and Democrats in Kentucky, Louisiana, and North Carolina have issued mask requirements statewide. Colorado and Arkansas became the last states in the United States to require masks on Thursday.
Florida also recorded a record number of 156 deaths from the virus, along with nearly 14,000 new cases, reflecting a broader trend this week that has seen an increase in the national death rate. The seven-day moving average for new deaths has risen to 730, an increase of more than 21 percent from a week ago.
Wire material from the Associated Press and Bloomberg News was used in this report.
Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @JaclynReiss
