MA Coronavirus: State Has 'Flattened The Curve,' Long Road Ahead

Massachusetts has flattened the curve, but its descent to the bottom will not be a quick one, Gov. Charlie Baker warned.

"We have flattened the curve," Baker said in Monday's daily coronavirus briefing.

The news of a plateau in COVID-19 hospitalizations comes with a caveat: The climb down will take some time.

What Baker's declaration means for reopening the state remains to be seen. Baker said his administration will make an announcement later this week on whether the closure of nonessential businesses will extend past May 4. He has been indicating the data, not a date, will determine when the state begins reopening .

"Whatever decision is made needs to have planning and thought behind it," Baker said.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said later Monday his city will not be reopening May 4.

Baker said the guidance from the federal government on antibody tests hasn't been solid. The tests can tell whether someone has had the coronavirus, but it isn't clear whether those people are immune.

Related: Boston To Conduct Random Antibody Testing | Somerville Requires Face Masks In Public; Fines Possible

Baker also said the state instituted new mandates for nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, including requiring all staff and residents be tested.

Fifty-six percent of the state's deaths have been at nursing homes and long-term care facilities, Baker said. More than 10,000 residents and staff have tested positive.

Related: Troubled Beverly Nursing Home Short On Staff, Equipment

Baker said 56 percent of beds remain open across the state, noting there has been an increase in non-coronavirus hospital activity. Officials have been insisting people who don't feel well — even if it's unrelated to COVID-19 — to call their doctor.

The latest numbers released Monday have the state's death toll at 3,003 after 104 new fatalities related to COVID-19. The state also confirmed an additional 1,524 cases of the virus, bringing the total to 56,462. The number of positive cases has sharply increased over the past several days as testing shot up. More than 244,800 tests have been performed across the state's public and private labs.