Massachusetts health officials announced another 15 deaths from the coronavirus on Thursday, totaling 8,375 statewide.
Authorities also confirmed another 304 cases of the virus, totaling at least 109,400 as of Thursday. That is based on 12,224 new molecular tests, according to the Department of Public Health.
As with Wednesday’s report, health officials noted that due to a “technical report error by a group of hospitals,” there was a delay in some test results being reported to DPH. Tests that tested positive are included in Thursday’s totals.
There are currently 367 residents hospitalized with the virus, including 55 people in intensive care.
The latest data comes a day after the US exceeded 150,000 coronavirus deaths. As of Thursday, there are approximately 4,405,932 cases of COVID-19 across the country, including nearly 66,000 new cases reported Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The positive evidence rate in Massachusetts has increased slightly in recent weeks, which officials believe is the result of several “small groups” of cases linked to recent meetings, Gov. Charlie Baker said, noting Thursday that authorities they are examining “where and how” the clusters emerged.
“Most of the groups that have developed so far have involved what I would call private recreational activity and behavior,” Baker said. He added that the state will review its guidance on collecting sizes in the future.
Baystate Health reported an outbreak of new infections Monday at Baystate Medical Center affecting 23 employees and 13 patients. Baystate Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Keroack said the outbreak dates back to a single employee, who returned to work after visiting a state identified as a new virus access point.
There was also an outbreak in the city of Chatham on Cape Cod after at least 10 people who attended a home party on July 12 tested positive for coronavirus. Cape officials announced Sunday that they will offer pop quizzes to anyone who has attended the party, or is a close contact of someone who was there.
“The reality of COVID-19 is that it doesn’t follow any rules,” Baker said. “Summer does not take away from us, and neither can we, if we want to continue fighting and contain the virus and keep our economy going.”
The Massachusetts Senate approved a $ 455 million economic development package Thursday in an effort to support communities affected by COVID-19. The bill would set aside billions for small business grant programs, home production, vocational schools and community colleges, projects to renovate dilapidated or vacant homes, and a mosaic of other initiatives aimed at stimulating the Massachusetts economy.
Coronavirus en masse: view cases, maps, charts and resources
These are the cases listed by county:
Barnstable County: 1,742
Berkshire County: 648
Bristol County: 9,029
Dukes County: 65
Essex County: 17,169
Franklin County: 398
Hampden County: 7,381
Hampshire County: 1,107
Middlesex County: 25,617
Nantucket County: 33
Norfolk County: 10,160
Plymouth County: 9,058
Suffolk County: 21,113
Worcester County: 13,243
Unknown location: 335
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