Massachusetts sees drop in deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 Monday, adds health spending increase

Massachusetts saw a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths in Monday’s COVID-19 report.

Massachusetts has seen 149 more positive cases announced in the last 24 hours. An increase from the previous 24 hour period.

The Massachusetts Department of Health statistics show a rise in total cases to 107,210 with 17 more reported dead for a total of 7.874.

Massachusetts had seen 125 more positive cases in the previous 24 hour period.

6,730 tests were performed, over 1,600 less than yesterday, to increase the overall total to 975,415. The amount of individuals tested is 775,322.

Hospitalizations have decreased in 36 of the last 41 days.

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As of June 1st, the Department of Public Health began reporting both confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases and deaths.

This change is in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control to include “probable” COVID-19 cases and deaths in data collection and reporting efforts. This change has increased the number of cases and deaths reported in Massachusetts.

Nursing home cases and cases by City and Town as of June 17th.

Count and Rate (per 100,000) of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases and Persons Tested1 in MA by City/Town, January 1, 2020 – June 17, 2020

Massachusetts residents subject to COVID-19 quarantine by current status up to June 17th
• Total of individuals subject to quarantine: 67,059
• Total of individuals who have completed monitoring (no longer in quarantine): 63,420
• Total of individuals currently undergoing monitoring/under quarantine: 3,639

According to the CDC, as of June 22nd, the total amount of cases in the country is 2,275,645 with 119,923 dead.

In related news, The Baker-Polito Administration has announced an additional $156,756 for a total of $500,000 annually to strengthen local public health services under a Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) program launched in January 2020. Created in response to recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health, the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Grant Program awards funds to four additional groups representing twenty cities and towns to plan for or to expand the sharing of staff and resources in a more efficient and effective manner.

With this new award, the SAPHE Grant Program strengthens local health services to residents in over 75 cities and towns. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, local health departments and boards of health have made critical contributions to the Commonwealth’s efforts and initiatives to keep people safe and save lives. Their tireless work—enforcement of orders, contact tracing, and public education to mitigate the spread of the disease and support for people with the disease—highlights the essential role of the local public health workforce in every city and town in promoting health and preventing disease.

“This public health grant program underscores our administration’s continuing commitment to being an effective partner with municipal governments, especially as they continue to confront ongoing public health challenges,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By committing these resources for local health departments and boards of health, we are supporting communities’ efforts to promote public health during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

“Supporting the Commonwealth’s cities and towns has been a hallmark of our Administration, and the awarding of these SAPHE grants will help us support important public health priorities in our municipalities” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to announce further support for Massachusetts communities through this public health initiative that will contribute to the ability of local health departments and boards of health to provide stronger and more effective public health protections through shared services.”

The grants support local officials to develop plans to share public health staff and services such as public health nursing, animal control, vector-borne disease management, and housing and restaurant inspections. These four groups join six programs funded earlier this year.

“Our boards of health are the backbone of local public health across the Commonwealth,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “They have been at the front lines of the COVID-19 response. These funds allow these twenty communities to further build their capacity by forging new collaboration and municipal coordination.”

The four planning grants include:

North Suffolk Public Health Collaborative: Revere (lead municipality) with Chelsea and Winthrop
Norfolk County – 8 Local Public Health Coalition: Norwood (lead municipality) with Canton, Dedham, Milton, Needham, Wellesley, Walpole,​ Westwood
Martha’s Vineyard Public Health Environmental District: Oak Bluffs, Chilmark, Tisbury, W. Tisbury, Aquinnah and Edgartown
Mansfield, Foxborough, and Norton

The shared services programs begin in July 2020.

“This is an important next step in advancing the recommendations of the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health,” said Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel, MD, MPH. “With these state resources, we will strengthen the scope and quality of local public health services and help cities and towns take advantage of the benefits of working together to protect the public and prevent injury and disease.”

These four programs join six others who were previously awarded: