Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Nineteen more cases of the highly contagious United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Massachusetts, bringing the total number of known cases infected with this strain in the commonwealth to 29, state health officials announced Sunday. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, only four of the total 29 cases have evidence of recent travel, suggesting that…

Researchers in Worcester are working to get ahead of the growing number of coronavirus strains.

With new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus circulating, health experts are adjusting their recommendations for face masks. NBC News medical correspondent Dr. John Torres joined LX News to explain why you should make sure your face mask is well-fitted and double up.

Some community leaders are expressing concern over long distances that residents will have to travel to get a COVID-19 vaccine. In southeastern Massachusetts, more than 50 municipalities are deemed “high risk” for COVID-19 spread, according to data released by the state’s Department of Public Health but there are no local vaccination sites for those residents, MassLive reported. New Bedford Mayor...

Massachusetts reported 2,991 new confirmed coronavirus cases Saturday and an additional 19 deaths. There have now been 10,257 confirmed deaths and 197,329 cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Another 231 deaths are considered probably linked to COVID-19. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, has decreased slightly to 3.21%, according to the report. The…

This week’s report from the Department of Public Health was revamped to include data on isolated outbreaks, requiring its release to be moved back from Wednesdays to Thursdays. This is the first week of the new version.

Massachusetts will release a revamped coronavirus risk map Thursday that shows isolated outbreaks at places like colleges or jails that have been pushing communities into the red.

The number of patients currently hospitalized for COVID-19 crept up over the weekend as state officials reported more than 900 new confirmed cases of the highly infectious virus and 41 more deaths. Active hospitalizations rose to 364 in the Department of Public Health’s Sunday data report, 26 more than in Friday’s report and 51 more than the Sept. 13 update….

The same measures that are recommended for reducing the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing face masks, may also help limit the impact of cold and flu season.

Massachusetts reported 109 new confirmed coronavirus cases Saturday and an additional 20 deaths, with the positive test rate for COVID-19 to 1.1%. However, Saturday’s coronavirus report likely reflects lower testing numbers because the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is moving its data system from its own server to the Amazon web services cloud, officials said this week. There have now…

All students in Boston will be learning remotely to start the school year.

School and health officials in Massachusetts have issued a statement clarifying guidance on how to handle cases of the coronavirus at school. The joint memo from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Department adds detail to previous guidance about when students must self-quarantine after coming in close contact with someone with COVID-19; as well as mask-wearing. The memo…

Another 296 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus and 10 more people with the virus have died, Massachusetts health officials said Tuesday. There have now been 8,529 deaths and 112,969 cases reported in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, is up slightly to 1.9%,…

Amid rising coronavirus cases in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker identifies four communities as “high risk” that will be the focus of increased enforcement of the mask mandate and crowd control.

Another 214 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus and five more people with the virus have died, Massachusetts health officials said Monday. There have now been 8,519 deaths and 112,673 cases reported in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, is down slightly to 1.8%,…

Another 286 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus and 14 more people with the virus have died, Massachusetts health officials said Sunday. There have now been 8,514 deaths and 112,459 cases reported in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, is down slightly to 1.9%,…

Everett’s mayor says he realizes the new policy sounds extreme, but he says it’s necessary.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced new restrictions as coronavirus cases tick up.

Another 320 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus and 18 more people with the virus have died, Massachusetts health officials said Friday. There have now been 8,488 deaths and 111,853 cases reported in the state, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, is down slightly to 1.9%,…

Governor Charlie Baker said that the new COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team will ramp up enforcement efforts and coordinate intervention efforts in high-risk communities.