Massachusetts COVID-19 Death Total Exceeds 11,000 People

The state of Massachusetts has reportedly exceeded 11,000 total deaths in relation to COVID-19.

The Massachusetts Health Department confirmed 47 new deaths on Friday, bringing the state's total to 11,010, CBS Boston reports. The health department also confirmed 5,475 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state's total to 269,929, with 99,181 total new tests reported.

Massachusetts currently has a 7-day weighted average of 5.72% positive tests and 1,605 people hospitalized with COVID-19 related illnesses, two less than the previous day. There are also 309 patients currently in intensive care units across the state.

The Massachusetts Health Department is estimating 65,741 active COVID-19 cases in the state as of Friday.

Governor Charlie Baker announced a detailed plan for distributing an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine in the state of Massachusetts on Wednesday afternoon.

The plan will include three phases of recipient priority, with Phase 3 expected to take place in spring 2021, according to Mass.gov.

Governor Baker also recently announced Massachusetts will be returning to Phase 3 Step 1 beginning on Sunday, December 13, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving weekend.

“Here we are today, 12 days past Thanksgiving, and new infections and hospitalizations are showing disturbing trends,” Baker said in a press conference on Tuesday (December 8) via CBS Boston.

The transition back into Phase 3 Step 1 will close certain businesses including indoor performance and high contact indoor recreational facilities, as well as limit most other open businesses to 40% capacity and restaurants to six individuals per table.

Outdoor gatherings at event venues will also be reduced from 100 to 50 individuals permitted. Individuals who intend to host private outdoor gatherings exceeding 25 guests will need to notify their local board of health for approval.

Restaurant patrons will also need to wear masks at all times indoors unless eating or drinking, which means they will need to be masked while telling a server their order.