New Bedford reports 17 additional COVID-19 cases

Mayor Jon Mitchell’s office Thursday reported 17 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in New Bedford, bringing the total positive cases in the city to 598, up from 581 on Wednesday. No additional COVID-19 related deaths were reported today keeping the total at 16 in the city.

36 additional cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Fall River, according to Mayor Coogan. This brings the total in Fall River to 484. The City has been notified of its fifth fatality due to COVID-19. Full details here.

Rhode Island’s nurses and doctors are rejoicing after Governor Raimondo secured 500,000 medical gowns from Fall River’s Merrow Sewing Machine Company. In a press conference on Tuesday, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo thanked Merrow Sewing Machine Company owners and brothers Charlie and Owen Merrow personally. Full details here.

On April 29, the Massachusetts Public Health Department reported that the state added 1,963 more positive cases of COVID-19 bringing to total to 60,265. This is an increase from Tuesday’s 1,840 reported cases. Full details here.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Wednesday that he generally agrees with federal officials who suggested COVID-19 deaths are probably being undercounted in the hardest hit states, including Massachusetts, and he said the state is making an effort to get a more precise count. Full details here.