Massachusetts reports 55 new coronavirus deaths, 575 new cases

Massachusetts health officials announced Saturday that another 55 people have died from coronavirus, bringing the number of fatalities statewide to 7,289.

Officials confirmed another 575 cases, including probable cases, of the virus on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases to at least 103,132. That’s based on 9,840 molecular tests and 1,019 antibody tests reported on Saturday.

Gov. Charlie Baker said there’s been an 80% decrease in the rate of positive coronavirus cases since mid-April. He said earlier this week that officials are still looking to expand testing capacity, and aim to have the capacity to test up to 45,000 people a day by the end of June.

Roughly 4.4% of the population is tested for the virus every month, Baker said.

On Monday, the state began including probable coronavirus-related deaths and cases, in addition to confirmed ones, as part of its daily reporting. The new data contributed to a rise in total COVID-19 deaths and cases Monday, but the added probable cases and deaths stretch back to March 1.

According to the Mass. Department of Public Health, probable cases consist of individuals who have not been tested by the standard viral test but have either had a positive antibody test “and either had COVID-19 symptoms or were likely to be exposed to a positive case.” They also include individuals who did not have an antibody test but had COVID symptoms and were known to be exposed to a positive case.

Coronavirus in Mass.: Cases, maps, charts and resources

Here are the cases listed by county:

Barnstable County: 1,450

Berkshire County: 573

Bristol County: 7,635

Dukes County: 42

Essex County: 15,170

Franklin County: 338

Hampden County: 6,337

Hampshire County: 904

Middlesex County: 22,686

Nantucket County: 13

Norfolk County: 8,689

Plymouth County: 8,347

Suffolk County: 18,955

Worcester County: 11,696

Unknown location: 297

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