COVID-19: 34,402 Cases in Massachusetts & 33,049 Deaths in America

BOSTON – The Commonwealth of Massachusetts reported 2,221 new COVID-19 positive cases within the last 24 hours.

Massachusets Governor Charlie Baker has been saying for weeks the surge in COVID-19 cases was expected now through April 20.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reporting a total of 34,402 positive cases since the pandemic began, as of April 17.

As of today at 4 p.m., the state has tested 148,744, including almost 8,000 individuals in the last 24 hours

The Commonwealth announced 159 new deaths from COVID-19 today. That brings the total since the pandemic began to 1,404 deaths. The 159 deaths is the largest number of deaths in a 24-hour period since the pandemic began in the Commonwealth. (Editor’s Note: The state report does say the deaths it reports every 24 hours may not have happened in the last 24 hours.)

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Middlesex County gas the most cases at 7,744

Framingham has the most cases in MetroWest, at 315 cases, as of Friday, April 17.

The United States now has the post confirmed cases worldwide at 684,920, as Friday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m.

Worldwide, there are more than 2.2 million confirmed cases.

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This ranks the United States with the #1 country with deaths ahead of Italy.

The CDC is reporting 28,823 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 4,226 probable deaths, a new way of releasing the data, starting April 16.

There is no tested vaccine for COVID-19 in the United States.

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The CDC recommended Americans were cloth masks in public.

It is important for residents to continue to practice social distancing.

Last month, the Governor said anyone entering the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

Governor Charlie Baker announced the earliest Massachusetts schools could re-open is Monday, May 4.

The Governor extended his order for non-essential businesses to close or operate remotely until May 4.

The Governor announced a new coronavirus alert system this week that will let residents get updates from state officials sent directly to their cell phones. Text COVIDMA to 888-777 to sign up. The state has added a Spanish language component.