Newton Coronavirus: Deaths Rise To 96

NEWTON, MA —The number of Newton residents who have died after contracting the coronavirus is edging closer to 100, as of Wednesday, according to Newton data.

The number of residents who tested positive for the coronavirus as of Thursday rose to 680, according to the city data. This is an increase of 15 people since Monday, May 11 when we stood at 665. Of the positive cases, nearly half, or 46 percent, are residents of Newton nursing homes and assisted living facilities, the mayor said in a statement.

The percentage of people who have recovered is on the increase, according to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. The percent of people who had tested positive for the virus and who were recovering the week of April 29 was 56 percent, the week of May 6 it was 71 percent and last week the week of May 6 it was up to 73 percent, she said. Those percentages do not take into account people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The symptom onset graph is updated and shows the 675 cases reported in Newton as of Wednesday by symptom onset date or by test date if symptom onset date is unavailable.

"Not only has the curve flattened, it has gone down," said Fuller.

Gov. Charlie Baker and state health officials have repeatedly cautioned that the numbers of hospitalizations related to the coronavirus, which causes the illness known as COVID-19, needs to be down for at least 14 days before the state can begin to reopen.

Read more: Baker Mum On MA Businesses Reopening, Keeps Eye On Long Game

• Businesses That Can Reopen May 18 Won't Know Until ... May 18
• CVS To Open 10 New Drive-Thru Coronavirus Test Sites In MA, Here's Where
• Boston College To Merge With Pine Manor College
• Newton National Merit $2,500 Scholarship Winners
• Newton's St Mary Of Carmen Festival Canceled

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.