Massachusetts is one of only 4 states in the nation on track to contain COVID-19, according to data analyzed by the Covid Act Now.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York have been hard hit by the new coronavirus in recent months, but each is seeing fewer and fewer cases locally and has enacted public health plans that meet or exceed international standards. .
Covid Act Now considered several metrics, including positive test rate, infection rate, available ICU beds, and contract tracking.
“On average, each person in Massachusetts with COVID is infecting another 0.75 people,” report Covid Act Now researchers. “Because each person is infecting less than another person, the total number of current cases in Massachusetts is shrinking.”
Currently, the positive test rate in Massachusetts is just under 2%, suggesting enough aggressive and widespread testing in Massachusetts to detect most new cases, the researchers say.
The low test rate occurs when other states report new single-day highs for the number of positive COVID-19 tests.
Florida, one of multiple southern and western states reporting an increase in COVID infections, reported 8,942 new cases of COVID-19, 39 more deaths, and 212 new hospitalizations on Friday, setting a new record for a single day.
The state’s positive testing rate shows that more than 13% of the tests were positive, indicating that the tests are not at high enough levels. “At these levels, it is difficult to know how fast COVID is spreading, and there is a risk of being caught by a second wave of disease,” the Covid Act Now researchers said.
Officials suspended alcohol consumption on the spot in bars across the state.
In Texas, bars are now required to close at noon and can only serve takeout or delivery, as the cases exceed 132,000. There are now more than 2.4 million cases of the virus in the US, and 124,700 deaths.
Massachusetts passed 1 million tests administered on Thursday, thanks to efforts in recent weeks to expand testing across the state.
Of the residents examined, 108,070 tested positive, including another 233 cases of the virus confirmed on Friday. The new case data is based on 8,545 molecular tests and 1,506 antibody tests reported Friday.
Massachusetts health officials announced another 50 deaths from the coronavirus on Friday. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths is now 8,013.
Governor Charlie Baker has attributed Massachusetts’ downward trend in COVID cases to a gradual reopening and social distancing measures that are being followed.
On Monday, the second part of Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan began. This week, a host of commercial activities may be restarted with new restrictions, including indoor dining.
Other “close contact” services may also resume this week, including tattoo parlors, nail salons, and skincare services, among others.
Companies and their clients must comply with certain restrictions after the resumption of operations. For example, customers may enter an appointment-only store, and waiting rooms must remain closed.
Employees and customers should continue to wear face covers, and employee hours and shifts should be adjusted to reduce contact between workers when possible.
On Friday, Baker announced a $ 275 million coronavirus financial recovery package to spur growth across the state amid the continuing economic consequences of the pandemic.
The financial relief would complement the existing legislation, called the Partnerships for Growth Law, proposed before the COVID-19 outbreak, which established specific investments in “housing, community development and business competitiveness.”
Baker said the new economic recovery package more than doubles the funding committed on the initial bill, approximately $ 240 million, while building on its investment goals, but will focus resources on the communities most affected by the coronavirus.
“Specifically we are looking for changes to our original bill to invest more in low-income communities, communities of color and minority-owned businesses that have been particularly affected by COVID,” said Baker. “Our cities and towns across the state need support to meet the economic challenges this virus has brought about.”
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