Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the number of coronavirus cases in the city rose by nearly 100 on Monday.
The total number of cases in Boston is now 825, up 90 from Sunday. Two deaths have been reported so far in the city. Fifty-five people have made full recoveries, Walsh said.
"Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones," the mayor said. "Each loss is a solemn reminder of how dangerous the situation is that we're living in right now."
"These are extremely difficult times," he added. "We want to make sure that life goes back to normal as fast as possible."
That means people in the city need to continue obeying calls for social distancing. Walsh said he hopes Boston won't have to resort to fining people for failing to obey the guidelines, as some other states have had to do.
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"My intention is not to fine people. My intention is to continue to ask the people of Boston to respect each other," he said.
Walsh also announced Monday that the Boston Housing Authority and Boston Public Schools are creating a new partnership to house up to 1,000 families with local students at risk of displacement. Outreach will begin immediately to expand housing support for residents during and after the coronavirus emergency.
On Sunday, Walsh announced the city had created hundreds of new beds for homeless people amid the coronavirus outbreak.
He also said there were still too many people gathering in groups in the city and not practicing social distancing.
The city will use zip ties on its basketball hoops to prevent people from playing on the courts and congregating in large groups. He added Monday that hockey and tennis nets will also be removed, and new signage will go up in parks this week.
Walsh also said Monday that he does not expect the coronavirus outbreak to be over by May 4, when the latest statewide school closure is scheduled to end.
"We're in this for a while," he said. "This is not going to be over quickly, and when we do go back to some sort of normal life, we'll still be taking precautions."
