Massachusetts on Monday reported 44 new deaths from the coronavirus, while the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose by 596.
The most recent report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health brought the state's death toll to 6,416 and the total number of people who have tested positive for the virus to 93,271.
The number of deaths reported Monday was lower than the previous week's average of around 85 deaths per day.
Hospitalizations also dropped as of Sunday. The three-day average number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals fell to 2,179, down 64 from Saturday, health officials reported.
While the total numbers of fatalities and infections continue to rise, they've been doing so more slowly in the last few weeks than this time in April, a sign that the state has flattened the curve.
The Department of Public Health's report contains six indicators that are informing how fast Massachusetts can move through the four phases of its reopening plan. They are: the COVID-19 positive test rate, the number of individuals who died from COVID-19, the number of patients with COVID-19 in hospitals, the health care system's readiness, testing capacity, contact tracing capabilities.
Monday's report came as Bay State residents got out of the house to celebrate the unofficial start to summer while the state continues to move slowly to open back up its economy amid the pandemic.
On Memorial Day, state beaches opened, as did some businesses, including hair salons and pet groomers. This second wave of businesses reopening is still part of the first phase of Governor Charlie Baker's reopening plan. Manufacturing, construction and worship services were allowed to resume last week.
Despite the resumption of some activities, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Sunday warned residents to expect to practice social distancing for at least another six to eight months.
In an NBC10 Boston interview, Walsh said he had no plan to lift the city's stay-at-home advisory, despite the Baker administration moving to Phase 1 of the reopening plan.
"Now's not the time to ease restrictions on individuals, meaning individuals shouldn't be easing restrictions on themselves for the foreseeable future, for the next six, eight months," he said.
He added: "If we don’t pay attention and stay disciplined, we’re going to see a second surge and that may be worst than the first one."
