Gov. Charlie Baker has had enough of people holding large private gatherings and disregarding COVID-19 mitigation strategies like social distancing. So on Friday, he indefinitely paused the state’s economic reopening, lowered the outdoor gathering limit, and empowered the police to enforce coronavirus-related orders.

Amid reports of large parties and unauthorized gatherings, Baker said “some residents feel a bit too relaxed about the seriousness of this virus.” He said he was putting the tighter restrictions in place in response to the uptick in COVID-19 cases that Massachusetts has seen in recent weeks.

“People need to understand that big groups — especially if people don’t distance and don’t wear face coverings, and don’t do any of the things that have been talked about and discussed time and time again — create, in many cases, spread,” Baker said during a State House press conference. “And that’s a big part of why we’re enhancing enforcement for local police and State Police, and why we’re lowering our gathering limit for outdoor events, and why we’re also, at the same time, going to engage a multidisciplinary effort around public health and public safety with the communities that have demonstrated that they are, in fact, higher-risk here in Massachusetts.”

The number of active COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts rose nearly 25 percent between July 29 and Aug. 5, and has been steady or climbing for nearly a month as new COVID-19 infections are once again outpacing recoveries.

The governor said the second step of Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan will be put on hold and the gathering limit for any outdoor event will be reduced from 100 to 50 as of Tuesday. The limit for indoor gatherings will remain at 25, but Baker said the limits apply to all types of locations on public or private property. The revised order also mandates that everyone wears a mask or face covering anywhere that more than 10 people from different households could mix.

Movie theaters, gyms, casinos, museums and more were allowed to reopen in early July as part of Phase 3. The Baker administration referred to it as “Step One of Phase III” but did not fully detail what would be included in the second step of Phase 3. On the state’s reopening website, it lists indoor theater or concert hall performances, and laser tag, roller skating, trampolines and obstacle courses as the activities that would be allowed to reopen in step two of Phase 3.

Baker said Friday that he was authorizing all state and local police to enforce the orders, and that people who host events — even on private property — that exceed gathering limits will be subject to fines. He also announced the creation of a COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team that will ramp up enforcement efforts and coordinate intervention efforts in yet-to-be-named high-risk communities.

“We have to work hard, always, harder in some respects than ever, to contain COVID-19 and keep our economy open for business,” Baker said. “We also want to keep this virus out of our communities as we head into the fall so we can give our kids a chance to get back to school.”

The governor’s end-of-week announcement was met with scorn from the National Federation of Independent Business, which whacked Baker for slowing down the timeline to reopen for businesses.

“It is extremely disappointing that Governor Baker is choosing to roll back the state’s reopening, especially with Massachusetts now facing the worst unemployment rate in the nation. Many of these businesses, that were patiently waiting for Phase 3 part 2 to begin, may now never reopen their doors again,” Christopher Carlozzi, state director of the local chapter of NFIB, said. “Instead of delaying the opening of certain businesses, many taking every step imaginable to keep workers and customers safe, the administration should pursue the private gatherings that are causing the problems.”

Though he said there have been issues with restaurants and bars — “bars are closed in Massachusetts and bars masquerading as restaurants also need to be closed,” he said — the governor on Friday suggested that the coronavirus is primarily spreading in Massachusetts at social gatherings, not mainly in the workplace or at businesses that have reopened.

“When you chase a lot of the contact tracing, the biggest issue we have is people who are familiar with people being familiar with them in big groups,” he said.

He added, “If you think about a party, take a Fourth of July party or even a birthday party: 40 or 50 people in somebody’s backyard, moms and dads, the kids, all the rest; nobody wearing a face mask, nobody socially distancing; one or two people there who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic; hugs, handshakes, high fives, dancing, who knows, right? A whole bunch of people walk away from there little ticking clocks that are gonna go off at some point. And they go back home and they pass it along to a few people in their family and then we’re off.”

To deal with some of the problems reported at restaurants, Baker said Friday that his office had updated guidance for restaurants to make clear that they cannot act as de facto bars, which are slated to remain closed until there is a medical breakthrough to treat or cure COVID-19.

“One of the things that’s come up a number of times is that pretzels and potato chips meets the food service requirement. It clearly doesn’t,” he said. “What we tried to do with the amendment of the order is make absolutely clear you need to be serving food that’s prepared on-site and the people who are in your venue need to order and eat food if they’re going to order a drink.”

The administration also revealed plans Friday for a multi-agency COVID Enforcement and Intervention Team. Led by the Executive Office and Public Safety and Security and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, the team will also include officials from the state’s COVID-19 Command Center, the Massachusetts State Police, Department of Labor Standards, Division of Professional Licensure, Department of Public Health, Division of Local Services, Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission and the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security.

“This team will coordinate an increased enforcement effort across the state to ensure businesses and residents are aware of and are following the COVID-19 orders. By authorizing state and local police to enforce these orders, we can not only increase the number of people who will be out there and able to enforce these measures, but also ensure that there are penalties for those who refuse to make the adjustments that so many other people in Massachusetts have made and continue to make,” Baker said. “Secondly, the COVID-19 Command Center will identify higher-risk communities that we can work with collaboratively to help them deal with their outbreaks. This will be different in every town, but it will include things like helping a town access additional federal relief funds if circumstances warrant it. It will also likely include significant assistance to ramp up enforcement with respect to businesses, face coverings and gathering orders.”

Baker said the higher-risk communities will be identified using public health data, but will not be named until next week. He said he would have more to say on Tuesday.

“We still have some homework to do in terms of reaching out to and engaging the communities that, based on the public health data, are going to fall into this higher-risk category and we want to make sure we have a chance to talk to them and to start beginning the process of integrating our efforts with theirs before we name names,” he said.

The following was published by the Acushnet Fire & EMS Department:

“Here is why, we think, it is a good idea for the state to allow the free COVID test van to come to Acushnet, if even just once:

On Wednesday afternoons, usually around 4:00pm, the state releases data which details testing trends over the previous two weeks. This data shows the total amount of cases, total tests taken, tests taken in the past 14 days and the positive tests found from those tests in the past 14 days. One measure that the report shows, and we are told is an important indicator of community spread, is the “percent positivity,” or the percentage of positive cases stemming from the tests taken during that 14 day period.

The statewide percent positivity reported yesterday is 1.75%, a slight increase from previous reports but nowhere near the way too high number from the early spring (social distancing, wearing masks, washing hands does work).

New Bedford was selected to be a host site for the “Stop the Spread” initiative because it’s percentage positivity rate was higher than the state average. As of yesterday, the city’s rate was 2.24%.

In Acushnet, 102 total COVID cases have been reported. A total of 1,604 tests have been given to Acushnet residents (possibly more than once for some people). Over the past 14 days, 166 tests have been administered. Over the past 14 days, 6 new cases have been found. The positivity rate is 3.61%.

Acushnet’s rate is higher than the state average AND higher than New Bedford’s yet we can’t get a response to our request to bring the free testing van to the school parking lot for a few hours one day!”

The program ends August 14th.” -Acushnet Fire & EMS Department.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in Plymouth County for the first time this year. The presence of EEE was confirmed today by the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory in mosquito samples collected on July 13 from a single location in Carver in Plymouth County. The mosquito samples collected July 13 are from the same trap collected on the same night. The findings are in a mammal-biting species of mosquito.

Data from the area will be reviewed and the risk levels in the area will be updated tomorrow as part of routine bi-weekly risk level changes by DPH. Information about current mosquito activity will continue to be updated regularly and can be found here.

The findings mark the third time EEE virus has been confirmed in tested mosquito samples in Massachusetts this year. The two earlier findings of the virus were detected in samples collected July 1 and July 5 in Franklin County, increasing the risk level of EEE to moderate in the communities of Orange, Athol, Wendell and New Salem. No human or animal case of EEE has been detected so far this year.

EEE is a rare but serious and potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages. EEE is generally spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths. There were also nine cases in domestic animals. Last year, public health officials raised the risk level for EEE to high in several communities in Bristol and Plymouth counties, both historic hotspots for EEE activity.

West Nile virus has also been detected this year in mosquitoes in Middlesex and Suffolk counties. There were 5 human cases of WNV in 2019. No human or animal cases of WNV have been detected so far this year.

Avoid Mosquito Bites
Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient (DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning in areas of high risk.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change the water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals
Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and EEE. If an animal is suspected of having WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to the Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR), Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.

More information, including all WNV and EEE positive results, can be found on the Arbovirus Surveillance Information webpage at www.mass.gov/mosquitoesandticks or by calling the DPH Division of Epidemiology at 617-983-6800. A short video with State Epidemiologist Dr. Catherine Brown about EEE and what residents can do to protect themselves can be found here.

Ninth Year of Free Outdoor Fitness Classes. Attendees are required to wear masks and social distance.

Nine years and counting! During these uncertain times, one thing is for sure — we are looking forward to being outside getting fresh air and exercise in a safe way. The South Coast community can keep fit and stay healthy with free exercise classes taught by two of the top fitness instructors in the area. Due to covid 19, restrictions are in place this summer. Following Phase 2 protocol, attendees to Fitness in Cushman Park classes will be required to wear masks to and from the field and practice social distancing – keeping a distance of 6 to 8 feet between mats.

Fitness in the Park is scheduled FREE TO THE PUBLIC this summer for 8 weeks of Yoga and Exercise classes in Cushman Park, Green Street Fairhaven MA. The classes are taking place Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30am from July 7 to August 27, 2020.

TUESDAYS: Yoga in the Park begins July 7 with certified yoga instructor, Jeff Costa, E-RYT 200. Yoga in the Park is a yoga series for all levels, designed to introduce newcomers to the basics of stretching and mindfulness and challenge yoga enthusiasts with a focus on compassion for the body.

THURSDAYS: Summer Bootcamp, begins July 9 with certified personal trainer (A.F.P.A.), Wayne Goulart. The Bootcamp class consists of various exercises that build functional strength and core stability with circuits utilizing light dumbbells and body weight exercises.

Yoga in Cushman Park’s instructor, Jeff Costa, E-RYT 200 is a Yoga Alliance Nationally Certified Instructor and a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga and Health. Cofounder of Sangha New Bedford (sanghanewbedford.com ), Jeff is a recognized leader in the wellness industry and has over 30 years experience in fitness education with a BA in Liberal Arts from Boston University. The strength of Jeff’s teaching lies in his attention to detail and his compassionate approach to students’ needs. Jeff’s authentic voice and classical approach to alignment create a class environment that promotes happiness, personal power, and peace of mind.

Summer Bootcamp instructor Wayne Goulart’s career in health and wellness began as a hobby when he started lifting weights with his brother in the basement of his family home. That hobby grew into a lifestyle and eventually a passion. Wayne is a certified personal trainer (A.F.P.A.) and has been working for ten years as lead trainer at the New Bedford YMCA. A certified group exercise instructor, Wayne’s specialty is functional training and his clients are from all walks of life, ages and fitness levels.

Attendees to the classes should bring a mat for Yoga and a mat plus set of weights for Bootcamp. Classes take place weather permitting — cancellations will be posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fitnessincushmanpark
Fitness in Cushman Park is presented free to the public thanks to the generous support of our community sponsorship team. Last summer’s classes were another resounding success.

Fitness in Cushman Park is coordinated by Jeff Costa Fitness and EncorENTERTAINMENT. Jeff Costa Fitness is planning to open a healing arts center, Sangha (the word means “a yoga community” in Sanskrit), in downtown New Bedford slated for September. Sangha New Bedford believes that nurturing the individual creates a thriving holistic community; and a thriving holistic community empowers its individuals with compassion, interconnection and belonging.

EncorENTERTAINMENT, owned by Susan Grace, is a full service entertainment and event planning company serving Southeastern New England providing top-rated entertainers for any event, program, party, picnic, outing or other festivity.

This summer Fitness in Cushman Park is happy to announce that BASK, Inc. of Fairhaven MA has once again joined the Fitness in the Park community as Presenting Sponsor.

BASK Dispensary offers patients superior service in a safe, clean, and friendly environment. The founders of BASK are experienced medical cannabis cultivators and advocates. The team came together over a shared vision to create a safe haven where patients could learn and have safe access to quality products.

The 8 weeks of free fitness classes are presented by BASK and are sponsored in part by Elite Fitness Sponsors: Sangha New Bedford, EncorENTERTAINMENT, Well + Fit , Howe Allen Realty, Delano Landscaping and Euro At Phoenix; and Community Sponsors: Humphrey, Covill & Colman Insurance, P.A.A.C.A., New Bedford Wellness Initiative, Destination Soups, Fieldstone Farm Market,
Miss Z’s Photography, Salt the Spa on Elm, Spicy Lime Thai Cuisine, The Baker, Oxford Creamery, Sylvia and Hurd CPA, Tax Accountant, Jessica Noblet, LMT and Spinner Publications. Special thanks to the Town of Fairhaven.

For more information about Fitness in Cushman Park call 508-287-2482 or email sgrace@encorent.com or info@jeffcostafitness.com
Please like Fitness in Cushman Park’s Facebook page to stay involved: www.facebook.com/fitnessincushmanpark

Michael P. Norton
State House News Service

The number of African Americans donating blood with the Red Cross has dropped by more than half since the COVID-19 outbreak began in mid-March, and African American donors are critically needed to help patients battling sickle cell disease, according to the Massachusetts Health Council.

The cancellation of blood drives at businesses, churches, and schools, along with the disproportionately high COVID-19 infection rate among African Americans, is contributing to the lower donor turnout, which is concerning since African American donors are vital for patients with rare blood types, like sickle cell disease, who depend on blood that must be matched very closely to reduce the risk of complications.

The American Red Cross, with New England Patriots players Devin and Jason McCourty, the Rev. Liz Walker of Roxbury Presbyterian Church, Clappazzola Partners, and other community groups, plans a five-hour blood drive starting at 10 a.m. on June 30 at Northeastern University’s Matthews Arena, according to the council. “Sickle cell has affected our family and watching our family fight inspired us to get involved,” Devin McCourty said.

According to the council, healthy individuals who are feeling well may also make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

“Blood transfusion helps patients with sickle cell disease – the most common genetic blood disease in the U.S. – and African American donors play an important role in their treatment,” said Dr. Yvette Miller, executive medical officer, Red Cross Blood Services. “We want to assure donors that their health and safety is a top priority for the Red Cross. By adding safeguards to our drives in response to this coronavirus, we hope individuals will roll up a sleeve to help those counting on their donation.”

The New Bedford Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches reminds residents that certain areas at city parks are marked as designated grilling areas, and that grilling is not allowed in other sections of the parks.

Social distancing is encouraged as New Bedford continues to combat the coronavirus. Special event permit applications are required for grilling in parks under 5 acres, and for events of more than 25 people. This summer, permitted events in parks have been cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus.

The Department of Parks, Recreation & Beaches thanks residents for their responsibility when grilling. Grilling is not allowed on beaches, nature trails, or athletic fields – only in the designated areas within the city’s parks.

Residents using grills in the parks are asked to be attentive and use caution with nearby children in the park, and be courteous to other parks users.

Only those 18 years or older may grill in the parks. There are no open, ground or campfires allowed and fires must be at least three feet off the ground. Grills are not allowed on picnic tables or benches, and no flammable materials may be disposed of in trash barrels, including empty fuel containers. All trash must be removed from the site before leaving. Charcoal should be deposited in the hot coal bin.

For a list of designated grilling areas in parks, please visit www.nbprb.com.

By Katie Lannan
State House News Service

Gearing up for what’s expected to be another active summer for mosquito-borne illness in Massachusetts, a recently passed Senate bill looks to update the state’s approach to mosquito control.

The bill is based on legislation Gov. Charlie Baker filed in April and would give the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board new powers to fight mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus and Eastern equine encephalitis when the Department of Public Health determines there is an elevated risk.

It would also create a task force to recommend reforms aimed at creating a “twenty-first century” approach to mosquito control, a measure not included in Baker’s original bill.

In his filing letter, Baker wrote that the “current framework for mosquito control dates to the 1970s and does not allow for the sort of coordinated statewide efforts that are necessary to prevent and combat these viruses and the mosquitoes that carry them.”

“Many cities and towns have not joined a mosquito control project,” Baker wrote. “In these parts of the Commonwealth, there is no entity — state, regional or local — that can engage in mosquito control. While a town by town approach does allow for maximum local input into mosquito control, unfortunately mosquitos and viruses do not respect borders.”

Baker said he filed the bill after the state last year “experienced unprecedented levels of EEE prevalence, illness, and deaths.” Public health officials reported 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts last year, and six people died from the virus.

EEE is a rare but potentially serious disease, and its activity is cyclical.

Massachusetts tends to experience two to three years of “intense activity,” including human cases, followed by a slower period, state public health veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown said last August. Brown said particular swamps that Massachustts has in high concentration make up “the exact right type of habitat to support the ecology that EEE occurs in.”

Last year’s EEE activity also indicated a geographic expansion beyond the typical clusters in Bristol and Plymouth counties, where such swamps are more prevalent.

“Last year was number one in a new cycle, and it spread to the Metrowest, it spread to Central Mass, it spread all the way west of Worcester, and the experts predict for this to continue to change with climate change,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in an interview. “And this was a warm winter … so the prediction is, this summer could be a very bad year for EEE, so we need to get ahead of it so we literally prevent deaths.”

Spilka said the bill “lays out a comprehensive strategy to combat mosquitoes spreading EEE” and will make sure the Department of Public Health is able to work with local communities.

The push to update mosquito control practices comes as the Department of Public Health is embroiled in efforts to stem the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts.

The Senate passed its bill (S 2757) on Thursday, sending it to the House for potential action.

Introducing the bill to his colleagues, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues described it as time-sensitive and said it would address the current “ineffective patchwork approach to airborne insects.”

Rodrigues, a Westport Democrat, said the bill would require the mosquito control board to provide notice before conducting aerial spraying and would let cities and towns opt out of spraying, as long as they have an alternative mosquito management plan approved by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Baker in his filing letter and Rodrigues on the Senate floor both said that mosquitoes kill more people worldwide than any other animal.

Rodrigues said the bill’s provisions would sunset at the end of 2022, in recognition of the virus’ cyclical nature.

According to New Bedford health officials, Hispanics/Latinos are 20% of New Bedford’s population but account for 45.5% of the COVID-19 cases in the city. New Bedford’s white population was 67.2% of the city and accounted for 28.1% of the COVID-19 cases. This chart was made available on the City of New Bedford’s website:

While COVID-19 cases have been declining for weeks, the related deaths remain at a high. New Bedford health officials Monday reported six additional COVID-19 related deaths since Saturday, 11 new deaths since Friday, raising the total to 96 in the city. Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office reported 20 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford on Monday, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 2,066, up from 2,046 on Saturday. New Bedford health officials do not report COVID-19 numbers on Sundays.

At the time of this writing, the New Bedford mayor’s office did not have any analysis of why the Hispanic community was disproportionally impacted by the coronavirus.

Web MD did provide analysis on “Why are Minorities Hardest Hit by CIVID-19?“:

“We found that there were large disparities in the proportion of people at risk of COVID-19 from minority and low-income populations,” said study co-author Julia Raifman. She’s an assistant professor of health law, policy, and management at the Boston University School of Public Health.

Raifman believes decades of disparities in education, housing, jobs, and stress levels have contributed to an excess risk of chronic disease based on race, ethnicity, and income. And those same issues are exacerbating the COVID-19 crisis.

Other New Bedford coronavirus data:

The New Bedford Health Department, working closely with the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is again this year conducting an annual monitoring program to track the potential threat from EEE and WNV carrying mosquitoes. Under the program, mosquito traps are put in place to collect pools of mosquitoes and mosquito populations are monitored throughout the summer months.

As part of the mosquito tracking program, the New Bedford Health Department will request that the BCMCP target key areas of the New Bedford for spraying, including public parks and locations that host large public events.

As such, the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project will conduct targeted ground spraying for mosquitoes early in the morning every Thursday beginning June 11, through late September. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the spraying will occur in the early hours of Friday mornings. The spraying will target areas including Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, the Poor Farm area, and the downtown area.

Spraying will take place between 2:00 am and sunrise on Thursday mornings, weather permitting; inclement weather will lead to sprayings on Friday mornings. Residents in the vicinity of the targeted areas may wish to close their windows this evening prior to the spraying.

The same precautionary measures are advised for EEE, WNV, and the Zika virus. These include the following:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – While mosquitoes are out at all hours of the day, their peak biting times are from dusk to dawn. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outdoors.

Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

Drain Standing Water – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.

Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Matt Murphy
State House News Service

Even as the state works to ramp up its testing capacity with a goal of being able to test as many as 45,000 people a day by the end of July, the actual number of tests for COVID-19 being conducted daily in Massachusetts has been declining for weeks.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday said that trend can be attributed to the decrease in the infection rate as people have stayed home and worn masks in public to control the spread of the virus. But he also expects it to change as more proactive testing becomes part of the state’s routine.

“I do think some of the issue with respect to testing generally is driven by demand,” Baker said on Tuesday from Lawrence, after touring the New Balance factory, where operations have been converted to produce personal protective equipment.

The administration at the end of May submitted a plan to the federal government to build its testing capacity from 30,000 a day currently to 45,000 by the end of next month, and has received $374 million from the Trump administration to put toward testing.

Testing also has been singled out as a key part of the administration’s strategy to prevent future outbreaks and a second surge by quickly identifying infected patients and geographic hotspots to isolate those with the virus and control the spread.

The state testing regimen, however, has never approached its full capacity.

During the week of May 11-17, when it appears from public data the state hit its high-water mark for testing, the Department of Public Health reported an average of 11,109 tests being conducted per day, totaling 77,768 for the week and a daily high of 13,864 on May 13.

Instead of continuing to climb, the ensuring weeks saw fewer tests being conducted with only 48,461 tests reported last week for an average of 6,923 a day between June 1 and June 7. The most tests reported on any given day last week was 9,409.

DPH spokeswoman Ann Scales told the News Service earlier this week that the decline in testing volume had to do with a reduction in transmissions that has led to fewer people with symptoms needing testing, and fewer close contacts of positive cases to test.

“The overall effect is to reduce the demand for testing. However, as we continue to move carefully through the reopening process, we anticipate an increasing demand for testing as the potential for exposures increases,” Scales said.

“The Commonwealth’s goal is to have sufficient testing capacity should we experience another surge,” she said.

A month ago, Baker said 13 percent of all tests being done were coming back positive for the coronavirus, but as infections and the spread of the virus have slowed, that positive test rate has fallen to under 5 percent.

The federal government has recommended that states put in place a plan to immediately be able to test at least 2 percent of its population each month, and to increase that capacity by the fall. With over 650,000 tests conducted so far, the administration reported in its testing plan to the federal government that it is currently testing roughly 4.4 percent of the population every month.

“The goal here, once we get the go-ahead from the feds, will be to test everybody’s who’s symptomatic, everybody’s whose asymptomatic and a close contact, everybody who works in the health care space, everybody who works with vulnerable populations, and to continue to expand the number of testing sites that are available for testing,” Baker said on Tuesday.

The governor said the state is currently in the process of adding 20 more sites for testing in areas the administration considers “underserved.”

“So I certainly believe that the number of tests and our testing capacity are both going to go up over time,” Baker said.

In additional to molecular tests for the presence of the virus, the governor said he also anticipates that over time, as serology testing for antibodies becomes more reliable, the state will be doing more of that type of testing as well to identify people who may have had the virus but either didn’t have symptoms or didn’t find their way into the health care system.

A top World Health Organization expert on Monday said that new research had shown the transmission of the deadly virus by asymptomatic individuals was “very rare,” which if true would dramatically change the public’s understanding of the virus and the protocols in place to prevent its spread.

But that official, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, walked back her statements on Tuesday and said there had been a “misunderstanding.”

Baker, who talks repeatedly about the risk of asymptomatic transmission as the reason people should take precautions like wearing facial coverings, had not read the research that Van Kerkhove cited, but believed it to be based on a very small sample size. The governor said he was on a call with health care professionals Tuesday morning, all of whom were “enormously skeptical of that conclusion for a whole bunch of reasons, and so am I.”

“I continue to believe that based on the advice that we’re getting from the health experts here that people who are asymptomatic who become symptomatic are absolutely capable of spreading the infection and so are many of the asymptomatic people who never show symptoms at all, and I would urge people to follow the feedback and the pushback that’s going to come from that broad declaration yesterday from a lot of other people who spent a lot of time trying to figure this virus out.”

Last week, as Baker prepared to make a decision about entering Massachusetts into the second phase of his economic reopening strategy, a coalition of public health and community organization urged Baker to wait until the state had better data collection, worker protections and testing capabilities in place.

The group said the state should be testing 32,000 people a day to remain on track to reach its testing goals, and Helena DaSilva Hughes, of the Immigrant’s Assistance Center in New Bedford, said testing, including for asymptomatic people, must be available “without people having to go through flaming hoops.”

“You can’t clean fish from home and you can’t be a personal care attendant without being close to the client, so many more people need to be tested, starting with our essential workers,” Hughes said.