MA Coronavirus Deaths Edge Closer To 5,000

BOSTON — Another 138 people have died because of the coronavirus and 1,410 others have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, according to state officials. This brings the statewide death toll to 4,840 and the total number of people to have tested positive up to 76,743.

A closely watched estimate of the state's likely death toll from the coronavirus now says Massachusetts may see nearly 7,700 deaths by August.

The Seattle-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation forecast has steadily risen as government policies change and the spread of the virus continues. Its prediction model forecast in March that the pandemic could take around 2,300 lives during the next four months. The April estimate put that figure around 5,625, based in part on the state's failure to mandate social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders.

Read more MA Coronavirus: New Projection Doubles Likely Death Toll

Previously:

• MA Coronavirus Hospitalizations At Lowest Point Since Big Change
• Nurses Union Pushes Back Against Cape Cod Healthcare Furloughs
• New Projection Doubles Likely Death Toll
• Delta To Suspend Flights To NH, RI Amid Coronavirus