Health officials announced 208 new coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, bringing the statewide death total to 4,420.
Officials also reported 1,754 new cases of the virus, for a total of 72,025 cases across Massachusetts. There were 6,290 new tests reported as of Wednesday.
Of the 4,420 fatalities to date 2,653 have happened in long-term care facilities.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday again said officials are “cautiously optimistic” about some of what they’re seeing in the data. Yesterday, Baker noted that the number of new COVID-19 cases confirmed on Monday was the lowest share of positive test results since the end of March.
He said that coronavirus hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to decline as well. Half as many people infected with COVID-19 are now hospitalized compared to two weeks ago, according to the data.
Baker emphasized that health officials continue to monitor the data for trends, but said that they’ve seen a “significant reduction” in the number of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths compared to original projections.
“When I say here that we have seen encouraging trends that’s because we are talking about the past,” he said. “I’m not going to speak to the future.”
The new stats come the day Baker’s order mandating face coverings in public took effect. Last week, Baker extended the order closing all non-essential businesses until May 18, as well as the stay-at-home advisory.
The ban on gatherings of 10 or more people is also extended until May 18.
Baker also announced last week the creation of a reopening advisory board, which will be helmed by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. The board is expected to deliver a plan for reopening the state by May 18.
Coronavirus in Mass.: Cases, maps, charts and resources
Here are the cases listed by county:
Barnstable County: 997
Berkshire County: 461
Bristol County: 4,380
Dukes County: 22
Essex County: 10,344
Franklin County: 278
Hampden County: 4,321
Hampshire County: 580
Middlesex County: 16,327
Nantucket County: 12
Norfolk County: 6,610
Plymouth County: 5,899
Suffolk County: 14,476
Worcester County: 6,992
Unknown location: 326
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