Massachusetts Department of Public Health

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.

Massachusetts health officials on Sunday reported 12 more deaths from the coronavirus and 218 new confirmed cases. This brings the overall death toll to 8,213, with 106,882 total cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Another 78 probable cases were included in the state’s daily COVID-19 listing Sunday, meaning a total of 6,652 probable cases have yet to…

Massachusetts health officials on Sunday reported 12 more deaths from the coronavirus and 218 new confirmed cases.

Massachusetts health officials reported 17 more deaths from the coronavirus, and 177 new confirmed cases were announced on Saturday. This brings the overall death toll to 8,201, with 106,664 total cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Another 182 probable cases were included in the state’s daily COVID-19 listing Saturday, meaning a total of 6,574 probable cases have…

Baker thanked Massachusetts residents for their role in helping to contain the virus and said they should continue to wear masks or other face coverings when out in public.

Massachusetts reported five new coronavirus deaths and 154 new confirmed cases on Monday. The deaths among confirmed cases now stands at 8,115, and the total confirmed cases at 105,783. The state’s total death toll stands at 8,330, including probable cases, and the total number of confirmed and probable cases is now 111,827, according to the Department of Public Health’s latest…