MA Coronavirus: 169 New Deaths, 1,590 More Cases

BOSTON, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported 169 new deaths Sunday, bringing the state's death toll to 2,899. The state also confirmed an additional 1,590 cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positive cases to 54,938.

Sunday's report also showed that the hospitalization rate held at seven percent after dropping from eight two days earlier. Gov. Charlie Baker said in his daily news briefing Saturday the hospitalization rate has stabilized over the past few days.

Health officials continue to "manage and watch the hospitalization rate and hospital capacity issue very carefully," Baker said. Last week, six hospitals collaborated on a public service campaign reassuring residents they can handle patients not suffering from the coronavirus amid concern that patients would not seek medical treatment for other ailments.

The latest DPH numbers show there are currently 1,077 patients in intensive care units. There were 9,255 new tests reported Sunday, bringing the number of tests conducted to 236,100.

Increased testing has brought a dramatic increase in the number of confirmed cases in recent days, including a high of 3,079 cases on Thursday, April 23.

Baker said this weekend the state will not begin easing restrictions until adequate testing has been done.

Read the full report here.

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