BY THE FIGURESBerkshire County saw six new COVID-19 deaths on Sunday, for a new total of 144 deaths, with the confirmed number of cases ranging from 38 to 3,020, the State Department of Public Health said.
With this day-to-day feature, The Eagle ends up breaking local developments in the coronavirus crisis.
The DPH said 105 new deaths were reported in Massachusetts on Sunday, bringing the statewide total to 12,341. The number of deaths, including those listed as likely caused by COVID-19, is 12,610. The confirmed cases increased by 3,110 to 371,097. At least 261,672 people in Massachusetts have recovered from COVID-19, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
NUMBER OF ACTIVE CASES: 79,261 statewide.
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK AT DATES: The state plans to unveil a new ‘interactive dashboard’ on Monday that will provide users with more ways to research data related to the pandemic, including by time period. Marylou Sudders, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, called the new offering last week “very exciting” and added, “It will no longer be like a PowerPoint.” Sorry, Microsoft, but we can do better now.
WESTERN MASS. STATUE: Totals (and deaths) in neighboring counties as of Sunday: Franklin, 8 up to 1,318 (92); Hampshire, to 48 to 3988 (to 2 to 203); Hampden, to 172-27058 (to 8-1063).
ARRIVAL DEPOSITSResidents of Western Massachusetts report receiving $ 600 down payments from the Treasury Department. The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury began sending electronic payments last week as part of the country’s second round of direct payments as a pandemic measure. The first to get checks: those who received direct payment last spring. Paper checks are also processed, the IRS said. People who received checks last year don’t have to do anything to qualify for the new benefits.
LONG-TERM CARE WATCH: On Sunday, 31,022 cases were confirmed among residents and staff of long-term care facilities, up from 89. In total, 416 institutions had at least one confirmed case and seen 7,428 deaths related to COVID-19, 27 more than Saturday .
HOSPITAL CHECKStatewide: 2,291 people are hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 416 are in intensive care and 258 on ventilators. Berkshire Medical Center is not updating its patient numbers this weekend.
At least 11,046,093 tests for the virus have been conducted in Massachusetts to date, according to Johns Hopkins.
WIDER WORLD OF COVIDAccording to data from Johns Hopkins University, there are 84,980,767 cases worldwide, with 1,841,044 deaths. In the US, there have been 20,573,505 cases and 351,277 deaths.
PRELIMINARY INDICATORS: The DPH provides the following statistics as indicators in the fight against coronavirus infection. Each gives a number and then a percentage change from the ‘lowest observed value’. Figures from Sunday:
Seven-day average of new confirmed cases: 3,621, an increase of 2,210 percent
Seven-day weighted average of positive test scores: 8.4, an increase of 993 percent
Seven-day mean number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals: 2,273, an increase of 1,364 percent
Seven-day mean of COVID-19 deaths: 58, an increase of 450 percent
EVERETT MASKS: The city of Everett ended the year by sending reusable masks to residents for obvious reasons. The mailing also included a link to resources about the pandemic. The masks are marked with the letter “E,” a bit of civilian pride there, as well as a QRC code that, when scanned, directs people to the COVID-19 resources section of the city’s website, the State House News Service reports. “It’s important that we are all safe in these uncertain times,” said Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “We have to keep fighting this virus and stay safe.”
INFORMATION ABOUT TESTING: “Stop the Spread” test sites are now open at three Berkshire Health Systems sites. Tests will be conducted for whatever reason, with the state taking the cost. To schedule a test, call the toll free hotline, 855-262-5465, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. (It will not work on December 24, December 25, or December 31.)
Locations Include: Pittsfield, 505 East St., St Luke’s Square, adjacent to BHS Urgent Care Center; North Adams, 98 Church St., next to the city library; Great Barrington: 475 Main St.
Tests can also be obtained through CVS by completing a form online.
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