24 Waltham Residents Test Positive For Coronavirus

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham's Department of Public Health announced that 24 residents have tested positive for the new coronavirus, up from 13, Wednesday and are in isolation. So far there have been no deaths reported in Waltham because of COVID-19.

The health department works with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local partners to monitor and respond to the outbreak. City officials said it planned to continue updating as the numbers changed.

"Please do your part to help prevent the spread of the virus by safe social distancing,"city officials said in a statement.

The local increase of coronavirus cases comes as the number of cases in Massachusetts jumped above 1,000 Tuesday. Gov. Charlie Baker said the state's goal is to expand daily testing, meaning the number will only increase.

Baker's order also restricts public gathering to no more than 10 people, down from the previous 25. The Department of Public Health is now advising people to stay home and "avoid unnecessary travel and other unnecessary activities" until at least April 7.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy said she planned to provide updates every Sunday night in addition to the daily updates on the city website.

The governor announced two weeks ago that schools will be closed until April 6, though the commissioner for Massachusetts public schools indicated that could last longer. Read more>> School Commissioner To Principals: Closures May Last Beyond April 7

Also read this:: Waltham Helping Waltham During Coronavirus Crisis

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).