Governor Charlie Baker said he has no plans for any additional closures or restrictions in Massachusetts as the state's daily positive COVID-19 test rate continues to show signs of slowing down.
“At this time, the Commonwealth is not planning any additional closures or restrictions,” Baker said during a news conference at the State House Tuesday via WHDH. “We do believe there are brighter days ahead.”
Though the state's daily positivity rate has been showing more optimistic results recently, the hospitalization rate has continued to increase by about 2.5% each day over the last 10 days, WHDH reports.
Baker said he believes there is "light at the end of the tunnel" of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as companies, including Massachusetts based Moderna, are close to receiving emergency approval for a coronavirus vaccine, but reiterated the need to "dig deeper" by continuing to wear masks and avoid large gatherings, especially as the holiday season draws near.
The governor also reaffirmed his stance on avoiding more shut downs and advised residents to get their COVID-19 information from Mass.gov or media organizations, rather than believing rumors. The Massachusetts Health Department confirmed 1,166 new COVID-19 cases, 25 deaths and a 4% daily positivity rate over a single-day span on Monday, WHDH reports.
Gov. Baker said health officials will continue to monitor daily trends and a "clear notice" will be made public before any new mandates go into effect in the state of Massachusetts.
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