More Than 1,000 Test Positive For Coronavirus In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — The number of people who have tested positive in the city for the new coronavirus is more than 1,000 as of Monday. There have been 56 people reported to have died in Waltham because of the virus, according to Mayor Jeannette McCarthy.

Waltham is among the hardest hit when it comes to the number of people who test positive for the coronavirus, according to the weekly accounts from the state. Out of 294 towns and 57 cities in the commonwealth, Waltham moved into the number 13 spot for the highest number of positive cases in the state on May 11, the last day the state released those numbers. Boston was in the number 1 slot, followed by Worcester and Brockton. Cambridge came in number 17, followed by Medford.

As of Monday, May 18, at least 56 people had died (eight more than this same time last week) and a total of 1,046 people had tested positive for the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness, according to city data.

By comparison, in neighboring Newton, 689 residents had tested positive for the virus as of May 14. In Brookline there were 309 cases.

Across the commonwealth as of Sunday, 86,010 people tested positive for the virus and 5,797 had died.

The news comes as Gov. Charlie Baker outlined the state's plans to have a phased reopening for businesses. He and health officials stressed the need to continue to maintain distancing and sanitization protocols so that a second wave of the virus didn't hit the state.

Watch the mayor's latest update on the situation and how it's impacted local business:

Waltham City Hall Works On A Plan To Reopen

• Roadmap For Reopening Detailed
• Child Care Will Expand, Summer Camps Could Reopen
• Personal Care Services Resuming May 25
• New Rules For Houses Of Worship
• New Rules For Construction, Manufacturing
• MA Recreation: Parks, Beaches, Courts, More Opening Memorial Day
• Salute Your 2020 Waltham Grad On Patch: Here's How
• 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 Waltham Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.