Medford Coronavirus: Number Of Cases Above 700

MEDFORD, MA — The number of coronavirus cases in Medford continues to rise, surpassing 700 Monday. As of April 27, the case count stood at 728, according to the latest numbers from the city.

Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn and Board of Health Director Maryann O'Connor hosted a Q&A session last week about the status of the coronavirus in Medford. Questions ranged from clarifying the face cover policy – both customers and employees of essential businesses are required to wear them while inside, to when beaches, ponds and pools will open – the city has pushed the recreation sign-up date to June 1 and will "follow the state's lead" on reopening beaches and pools.

Watch the full Q&A below:

Expanded statewide data released last week included information on per capita coronavirus rates, offering a different perspective on how the virus is spreading at the local level. The figures are from the state DPH and were calculated using case counts current as of April 22. See how Medford's rate ranks among nearby communities.

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.