MA Coronavirus: Deaths Continue To Climb After Ominous Warning

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday offered a blunt assessment of the coronavirus crisis in Massachusetts, hours before the state reported COVID-19 claimed dozens more lives in the state.

"Today is the beginning of what we expect is going to be a very difficult period," Baker said at an early afternoon news conference.

The Department of Public Health then released its daily report, revealing 88 more deaths and 1,392 newly confirmed cases of the virus. The totals stand at 844 deaths and 26,867 confirmed cases. There have been 122,049 tests administered.

About half the deaths related to COVID-19 have been connected to long-term care facilities.

The state for the first time Sunday reported more than 2,500 cases per day, an ominous mark that portends a tough road ahead. Massachusetts is in the midst of what Baker has said will be a surge of COVID-19 patients.

Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said about half of the state's hospital beds are filled, though some regions have been hit harder than others. The full impact of the spread won't be known for at least a week.

"This is just the eye of the storm," Sudders said.

Baker started his news conference speaking about Monday's storm that has started picking up across the state, knocking out power for more than 75,000 as 4 p.m. He was hopeful critical care at hospitals and other facilities will not be interrupted, as many hospitals have power backups that can last days.

Baker also said the decision on school closures will come at some point this month.

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